III. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
Group Planning Session
ISF 2001 - Indore, India

(a) UTILIZE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO ADVANCE NEEDS OF SOYBEAN INDUSTRY

1. Increase farmer’s production of soy through enhanced yields and more hectares planted.

2. Help farmers maximize profits by buying inputs cheaply and efficiently and then marketing product at best prices.

3. Increase internal demand for soy in India.

(b) FOCUS ON IT FOR FARMERS BUT SUPPORT NEEDS OF RESEARCHERS, INDUSTRY, STUDENTS AND EXTENSION

1. Narrow the “technology gap” to increase farmer’s production of soybean.  Utilize internet when possible but draw on other technologies as appropriate

2.  Support researcher’s IT needs in their efforts to develop new varieties, fertilizers, and treatments of pests and pathogens.

3. Support needs of industry to process soy and to develop and market new soy products for human and animal consumption.

4. Create public awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of soy and its practical uses in the home.

5. Educate Extension staff and students in Ag Education programmes about soy production and nutrition

(c)  STRATEGIES

1. Develop a printed Soy Handbook for farmers along with an interactive companion web site. Web site will provide value-added features such as Ask the Expert service, FAQ archives, digital library, decision aids and databases.

2. Utilize e-mail and other electronic messaging options to deliver timely information during the growing season. Scouting reports on diseases and pests and prediction of climate and monsoons.

3. Develop a special web site for researchers providing a soy “knowledge-base” and a researcher communication system.

4. Develop a special web site addressing needs of the Soy Industry.

5. Utilize web sites, e-mail and other technologies to help market soy and soy products to the general public.

6. Utilize web sites, e-mail and other technologies to help train Govt. Extension staff to help farmers run profitable operations.

A detailed Action Plan to implement IT Recommendations follows.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACTION PLAN FOR INCREASING PRODUCTION OF SOYBEAN IN INDIA

PRIMARY GOAL

• Utilize IT to help farmers maximize profits by buying inputs cheaply and efficiently and then marketing product at best prices.

THRUSTS
Individual Farmers

• Narrow the technology gap by communicating over the internet and other appropriate technologies to increase farmer’s production of Soybean within context of cropping system by increasing yield and number of hectares planted

Soy Researchers

• Support testing of new technologies for the farmer such as hybrids, fertilizers, and IPM

Soy and Feed Industry

• Support needs of industry to process soy and to develop and market new products

General Public

• Create awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of soy as well as practical uses of soy in the home kitchen

Government Extension

• Educate Extension staff to help farmers maximize profits and to create public awareness of soy and soy nutrition

OBJECTIVES

Individual Farmers
1. Develop Online Soy Handbook (SOYport)

• Expert FAQ’s / Ask the Expert
• Recent research findings
• Market prices and projections
• Present and projected conditions for climate and pests
• Sources of inputs such fertilizer, micro-nutrients & seed
• Toolbench of calculators on variety selection, timely planting, optimum plant stand, and financial management
• Databases on soil types, seed varieties, climate history, key pests and diseases
• Practical decision trees guiding planting, crop rotation, soil treatments. pest identification and management, harvesting, marketing
• Guidelines for harvesting and threshing of soybean seeds and on-farm drying facilities for storage of seed grain
• Fact sheets on integrated nutrient management (organic residues, balanced nutrition,sulphur, bio-fertilisers, native soil nutrients, fertilisers, micronutrients)
• Fact sheets on herbicide selection and tolerance
• Fact sheets on land treatment (Furrow, ridges, beds)
• Fact sheets on low cost farm machinery and proper use

2. Provide timely seasonal information (SOYnet)

• Scouting reports by e-mail to warn of probable climate conditions (especially monsoons) diseases and pests
• Success and failure stories from previous season
• Information and mechanics of provincial and government subsidies

Soy Researchers
Develop a special web site for researchers, including:

1.  Soy “knowledge-base” (SOYbase)

• Digital library of research abstracts, full text articles when possible, bibliographies)

• Database of soy hybrid varieties suitable for local conditions and with desired qualities such as amino acids and isoflaviones
  
• Quality seed issues - Other Distinguishable Varieties (ODV), undersize, rapid loss of germination and loss of vigour, Seed replacement, Alternative seed supply systems, seed production and storage, good germination

2. Communications system for researchers allowing exchange on all facets of soy research (SOYcom)

• Soy Seed Exchange
• Timely communications on research developments and seasonal pest, disease and climate conditions (ideally functions as a rapid response network)
• Support researchers interaction with farmers on participatory on-farm trials

Soy and Feed Industry

• Provide guidelines for preparing soy for feed (raw, boiling, processed)

General Public

• Work with marketing experts to develop prototype marketing campaign targeting likely demographic groups

• Develop liaisons with food distributors and supermarkets to carry and promote products

Government Agencies and Extension

• Work with Govt. to make available data on Climate, Weather, Soil and other kinds of existing public domain information.

• “Train the trainers” for effective management of weeds, insects and diseases.

SOPA

• Form Strategic IT planning group to guide implementation of Action Plan, evaluate results, and develop a Phase II programme (SOPA IT)

JGS & PB (MSSRF, Chennai)  June 30th, 2001