India's agriculture ministry opens e-Linkage facility

India's Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday (Apr 28) inaugurated the e-Linkage facility, aimed at providing expert view and information on various subjects to farmers, at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

"The e-linkage facility is for developing partnerships between subject matter specialists of Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs) and farmers for sharing appropriate technologies and innovative ideas or experiences among stakeholders," an official statement said.

The facility would initially connect 192KVKs across India, which will later be extended to all 571 KVKs, ICAR director general S Ayyappan said.

During the current fiscal year, ICAR hopes to link 91 additional KVKs with the facility.

"The facility will provide internet access to global e-content on agriculture and development of KVKs webpages with user-friendly information such as FAQs, weather forecasting and calendar of activities," Ayyappan said.

It will also provide computer generated agro-advisory alerts to mobile phone holder farmers and other stakeholders in the district, he added.