Yesterday, I wrote about the miserable condition of the poor farmers who are committing suicide for bad harvest, falling price of agricultural products and finally failing to pay the loan. Indian government has come up with an aid package that may save some farmers in the short term but surely it is not enough to save them in the long term. I felt that computer and technology can be the best thing to help these farmers. I would not blame you if you laugh at me loudly for stating this idea. You may wonder: these farmers are illiterate farmers! What they can do with computer and internet! Yes, you are right about it. However, I feel that the farmers do take their own life for fun but do it out of desperation when they see no hope. That is why I feel that computer and internet can make a difference. Here are the ways how:
1. For these farmers, I would like to see a web portal maintained by a government agency or an NGO. The web portal will be in two languages, English and the main regional language of the affected area. There will be weekly update about the condition of that area: price of their agricultural product, availability of bank loan, information about seeds etc. I am sure that every village has at least one or two persons who have some sort of literacy skill. By them the villagers can know about this information.
2. On the other hand, there can be regular updates of the condition of the villagers. In the rural areas, almost every one knows about the condition of others in a village. So, when the condition of a farmer becomes too depressing then this news can be published in the website. Then the government agencies can come forward and do something about it. In most of the cases the farmers need rescheduling of their loans and wavering of interest.
3. The website will also give an opportunity for Non Resident Indians (NRIs) to know about the condition of the villagers and contribute to save them. Many Indians living abroad are eager to support their country and would surely love the idea of saving a life.
Yesterday, I wrote that the bank loan is often in the range of $1,000-$2,000. It is a real pity that a human being should die for it.
Do you have any other suggestion how technology can be used to prevent the farmers from taking away their own lives.
Hi,
As you have rightly pointed out, technology can be a great enabler to help the farmers. I hail from a village and know the situations prevailing there. Lack of
a) knowledge about the govt schemes
b) affordable loans
c) scientific/latest farming techniques are the major bane of the farmers.
While your view about using the internet is fine, the penetration is comparatively less. I think mobile penetration is comparatively more.So we may have to find ways of delivering info using SMSs also in images which contain local language text. This is technologically very simple to do.
There are many organisations working in this line, but a concerted effort has to be taken here with a clear focus.Let's cooperate on this.I will be able to participate on designing an IT solution in this regard.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 2, 2006 12:49 AM | Permalink to Comment