KRISHI INTEGRATED COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE (ICC)
1. Context
Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated a Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) set up at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, a big-screen dashboard of all digital innovations in the sector
2. What is the Krishi ICCC?
The ICCC represents a technological solution incorporating various IT applications and platforms, aimed at facilitating well-informed decision-making processes. Situated within the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, which oversees legislative activities, policy formulation, and the implementation of agricultural initiatives, the center utilizes cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to gather and analyze extensive datasets. These datasets encompass diverse parameters such as temperature, rainfall, wind speed, crop yields, and production estimates, which are then visualized in graphical formats for enhanced comprehension
3. What is the objective of the ICCC?
- The ICCC aims to facilitate comprehensive monitoring of the agricultural sector by aggregating geospatial information from various sources.
- These sources include remote sensing, plot-level data obtained through soil surveys, weather data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), sowing data from Digital Crop Survey, farmer- and farm-related information from Krishi MApper (an application for geo-fencing and geo-tagging of land), market intelligence from the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg), and yield estimation data from the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).
- By integrating and visualizing this diverse array of data, the ICCC enables swift and effective decision-making processes. Additionally, there are plans to establish connectivity between the ICCC ecosystem and the PM-Kisan chatbot in the future
4. Practical Applications
The Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) has several practical applications that can significantly benefit the agricultural sector.
Some of these applications include:
- The ICCC can be used for real-time monitoring of crops through various data sources such as remote sensing, weather data, and plot-level information. This enables farmers and agricultural authorities to assess crop health, identify areas of concern (such as pest infestations or water stress), and take timely action to mitigate risks and optimize yields
- By integrating data on soil health, weather patterns, and crop growth stages, the ICCC facilitates precision agriculture practices. Farmers can receive tailored recommendations for optimal planting times, irrigation schedules, and fertilizer application, leading to improved resource efficiency and crop productivity
- The ICCC utilizes weather data from sources like the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide accurate forecasts and early warnings for adverse weather events such as cyclones, droughts, or heavy rainfall. This information enables farmers to take proactive measures to protect their crops and minimize losses
- Through the integration of market intelligence data, including crop prices and demand-supply dynamics, the ICCC can provide farmers with valuable insights into market trends. This helps farmers make informed decisions regarding crop selection, timing of harvest, and marketing strategies, thereby maximizing their profitability
- The ICCC assists in optimizing resource allocation by analyzing data on factors such as soil moisture levels, crop water requirements, and available irrigation infrastructure. This allows for more efficient use of water resources, reduced environmental impact, and cost savings for farmers
- By consolidating data on various aspects of the agricultural sector, the ICCC can support evidence-based policy formulation and governance decisions. Government authorities can use insights derived from the ICCC to design targeted interventions, allocate resources effectively, and address systemic challenges in agriculture
- The ICCC serves as a platform for delivering extension services and advisory support to farmers. Through mobile applications like Krishi MApper, farmers can access personalized recommendations, training materials, and market information, empowering them to adopt best practices and improve their livelihoods
5. Way Forward
Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) plays a pivotal role in modernizing agriculture, enhancing productivity, and ensuring the sustainability of farming practices through data-driven decision-making and technology-enabled interventions
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Previous Year Questions
1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017) The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only Answer: (b) |
Source: Indianexpress
