CM bats for application of ICT in agriculture

Chief Minister Siddaramiah has said that application of Information Communication Technology (ICT) helps in addressing the problems faced by farmers.

Speaking after inaugurating the 8th GCRA international conference on ‘Innovative Digital Applications for Sustainable Development’ at the University of Agricultural Sciences here on Tuesday, the chief minister said that ICT models and tools can be used to provide localized weather forecasts, help create better linkage between market and the farmer and thus increase the latter’s returns.

“It is important to empower poor farmers with information and communication technology to increase farm productivity and protect their livelihoods,” Siddaramaiah said.

Indrajit Banerjee of Unesco's Knowledge Societies Division said technology must not be limited to videomails and use of Internet but must make sure that information reaches out to a common man. 

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, the chief minister said that the name for the post of Lokayukta would be sent to the governor in the next three days for his approval.

He said that there has been pressure to appoint a Kannadiga to the post of Lokayukta and of the three names shortlisted, one is a Kannadiga.

Responding to Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge's statement on Cabinet reshuffle, he said that he would take a call on this after the local body elections.