Knowledge Systems Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Information is crucial for the development of any sector. Agriculture is not an exception as vital information related to farming needs to be passed down to farmers and other important stakeholders without delay. It is important to ensure proper linkages among the various stakeholders so that they can easily share information that is relevant at various stages of farming. The latest ICT trends play a key role in shaping and reshaping communication and interaction among involved parties. There are many technology driven information dissemination methods, which have been initiated by various parties, including the government, private, non-profit making bodies and independent research groups. This chapter explains the various attempts to integrate ICT within Sri Lankan agriculture communities and how the focus is changing from information dissemination towards facilitating interactions among the stakeholders. The chapter starts with a brief introduction to the present agriculture information society, followed by the latest information and communication technology (ICT) interventions taking place in the agriculture field. Prevailing issues and limitations in these ICT-based information dissemination approaches initiated by government, private, non-profit making sectors and independent research groups is explained next, giving due recognition to various factors that has contributed to adoption of ICT initiatives. The chapter ends with a note on the possibilities for future focus for ICT activities in an agriculture information society. Agriculture information society Agriculture plays an important role in the Sri Lankan economy. Agriculture provides a direct source of income for around 31% of the population (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2013b). The rural population in Sri Lanka is around 85% (World Bank, 2014), and agriculture is both a direct and indirect source of living for about 65% of the population who live in these rural areas. The contribution of agriculture to the country's gross domestic production is about 10.8% (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2013a). Right information delivered at the right time is vital for successful farming. Farmers need information related to various stages of crop growth, pest and disease problems, and marketing. A study conducted by De Silva & Ratnadiwakara (2008) reports that information search cost accounts for 11% of the total cost, and nearly 70% of the transaction cost. Information search costs arises from the need to obtain information related to decisions such as the crops to plant, agronomic practices, pest and disease identification and management, harvesting, storage and post-harvest practices. Information systems which provide the required information are described in Table 1. Transaction costs are incurred in transactions related to the purchase of inputs such as seed, fertilizer, and pesticides, and also in the sale of produce. Additional transaction costs are seen when farmers deal with external agents indirectly through Farmer Organizations. In such instances transaction costs arise between farmers and the Farmer Organizations, and also between the Farmer Organizations and the external agencies such as input suppliers or buyers. Appropriate information systems can reduce the transaction costs incurred in such situations. At present most of the information obtained, and transactions conducted are through traditional mechanisms. Generally in Sri Lanka farmers have been obtaining information through the farm visits of, or the office visits to, extension agents. Thus, if the time spent by the farmers for this activity is taken also into account appropriately the information cost is bound to increase. Furthermore, it is noted that this cost analysis is from the perspective of the farmer. When the time and other associated cost, such as the transport cost, of the extension agent is also taken into account the actual cost of such information would IGI Global Microsoft Word 2007 Template Reference templateInstructions.pdf for detailed instructions on using this document.