agriculture and information technology

Agriculture and Information Technology

Chulantha KulasekereSameera Dissanayaka

My Talk …

• Impact/importance of agriculture• The need of the hour• Relevance of IT in agriculture• Examples of how IT can support to improve

agriculture• Question time

Some perspective

In Sri Lanka ..

• Agriculture sector is a major socio-economic component

• Approximately 75% people living in rural areas are dependent on agriculture

• About 43% of geographical area is used for agriculture

• Food resources are scarce and need to import

The impact … Sector Num. of Holdings Extent (hec.)

Agriculture 3,252,954 4,797,004

Partial Uncultivated (hec.) Vacant (hec.)

520,000 111,000 340,000

Another perspective ..

Average HARVESTED rice kg/ (Hectares)

4,444 kg

Productivity Less than 50%

If we only consider the paddy sector, the harvest is not enough to feed

the population of 21 million

Other sectors are similar …

Lets leave agriculture and jump to Information technology

What is the definition of Information Technology?

A set of tools, processes and methodologies, and associated equipment employed to collect,

process and present information.

My thinking ..

A set of tools and methods for value addition … to just about anything

What is the connection?

Using IT for value addition in the agriculture sector ..

Stages to discuss ..

CULTIVATION

Rubber Plantation

The issues

• Harvesting is based on the girth of trees• Fertilizing is based on the girth of trees• Planting and replanting is based on the girth of

trees

The Solution• Automate the measurement of girth• Information processing to optimize supply

chain

Precision Farming

Precision Fertilizing

Satellite-based crop management

More closer to home ..

DISTRIBUTION

How much produce is destroyed during distribution?

Which areas have a higher percentage destroyed?

Why is it important to know this information?

e-commerce in Agriculture

• Access to distribution networks• SMS pricing• Availability of fertilizer• Connecting demand and supply adequately

RFID based food distribution

CONSUMPTION

Data mining based systems

• Purchasing pattern identification• Stocking based on food types• Floor management based on patterns• Offering location based services for shoppers• Automated warehousing

IT will enhance the agriculture sector to produce more with less

resources and with higher efficiency

Thank You