Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102954630600.htm

Tamil Nadu

e-Velanmai scheme launched

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based technology transfer called “e-Velanmai” was introduced in the Palar Basin of Parambikulam Aliyar Project recently.

According to a release from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, the project was set up for 2007-2012 under the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management Project.

Responsibility

The responsibility of implementation of the scheme was given to Kumarapalayam Water Users Association (K-WUA), Sultanpettai, Palladam.

Objective

C. Karthikeyan, Associate Professor, TNAU, and Project Leader of the scheme, said the objective of the scheme was to provide expert and timely advice to farmers of K-WUA using ICT tools like digital camera, the Internet and mobile phones on a regular basis.

Membership fee

“To enhance the participation of farmers in scientific farming, a membership fee, based on the size of the farm operated by the farmer of K-WUA, is collected for delivery of agricultural extension services by the e-Velanmai project team. So far 72 farmers of the K-WUA have enrolled in the scheme,” said Mr. Karthikeyan.

Photographs

The members would also be trained in taking photographs of pest-damaged crop specimens, uploading the photographs to TNAU scientists and receiving specific technical recommendations over mobile/Internet/e-mail, he added.