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Information System Network (AGRISNET)” in collaboration with NIC. The Proposal recommends (i) the state-of-the-art IT infrastructure requirements to establish AGRISNET as the INTRANET over NICNET, (ii) development of databases and information systems for decision support for evaluation, monitoring and policy formulations, and (iii) human resources development, (iv) multi-media based training and demonstration of transfer of technology to strengthen Farm Research and Education using broadcast VSATs, (v) special interest groups in respect of subjects, problems, programmes, schemes, etc, and above all, to make Indian Agriculture on-line for INTERNET and INTRANET access through AGRISNET Nodes. AGRISNET Nodes are envisaged to be established at

• DAC Hqrs (Krishi Bhawan),

• DAC Attached Offices and its regional offices,

• DAC Subordinate Offices and its regional units,

• DAC Public Sector Undertakings (NSC&SFCI) and sub-units,

• DAC Autonomous Organizations,

• Apex Cooperative Organizations

• State Agriculture Departments

• NCT/UT Agriculture Departments

• District Agriculture Offices and

• Block Agriculture offices

In this direction, IFFCO has taken up a project in association with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to utilise satellite based remote sensing data and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Attention may be drawn to the fact that the developed countries have been utilising precision farming with the help of IT tools for a long time. While this will take a long time for our country due to small holdings, it is to be noted that GIS has an invaluable role to play even in the existing conditions. Remote sensing and GIS information can provide warnings on evolving crop stresses, crop vigour, etc.

The IFFCO-ISRO GIS project extends support for efficient and timely availability of IFFCO’s fertiliser to farmers though better logistics & efficient operations. It endeavours to provide farmers’ advisory services to provide decision support to farmers on land related issues, weather, etc. In addition to the GIS based services, effort is being made to create databases that contain information of interest to the farmers. These include recommendation on package of practices for major cereals, pulses, horticulture, floriculture and animal husbandry, etc.Information on all the inputs such as seeds, fertiliser, sources, current availability, prices, availability of credit, alternatives available and terms and conditions, etc. are sought to be provided. An important service envisaged is to provide access to the nearest expert in case of stress or any other problem witnessed in the crops. Facilities are sought to be provided to encourage and share farm experiences by forging various crop forums. Many of the agricultural extension services are also proposed to be made online using aspects of multimedia.

In order to encourage farmers to obtain best possible price, information on various agricultural output markets (mantis) is also being provided. The objective of this activity is to provide status of price at different mandies to facilitate farmer to move his produce to the mandi where he can expect better price. Other areas of interest to farmers such as distance education, location specific news, etc. are also planned. Access to other related sites of interest such those relating to courts, health, etc. are also sought to be provided.

6. Conclusions

Analytical exploration of vast amount of agricultural data can best be support by appropriate application of Data Warehousing and OLAP technologies. A Data Warehouse provides efficient and reliable structure of storage for vast amount data while OLAP techniques provide mechanisms for analysis of this data.

7. References

[1] Data warehouse and its applications in Agriculture, Anil Rai, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute Library Avenue, New Delhi.

[2] Information Technology in Agriculture, S.C. Mittal.

[3] Data Warehousing concepts, Techniques, Products and Applications, C.S.R.Prabhu.