e-Krishi

E-Krishi, the market driven agricultural initiative through IT enabled agri-business centes in Kerala state addresses the existing gap in agriculture information flow and transaction management. The vision of the project is to establish a well connected farmers community throughout Kerala who have access to information on market demand, price, good agricultural practices, quality agricultural inputs supported by a technology enabled robust transaction platform that facilitates all their offline activities. The project is piggybacked on the existing resources of Akshaya e-kendras for providing the services.
The project was piloted in Malappuram district in 2006 and was funded by UNDP/NISG. Now it is operational in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Kollam districts with the help of Department of Agriculture and Local Self Government Institutions.

Objectives

Preparation of a detailed database of the farmers and businessmen of the state Aggregation of responsive farmer community cultivating priority crops as determined by the market demand Enrolment of buyers in key markets including manufacturers Enrolment of agricultural input providers (seeds, plantlets, fertilizers, pesticides, technology/methodology providers/consultants, test laboratories and so on) and warehousing facility providers.
Enrolment of logistics services support providers
Enrolment of banks and insurers
Establishment of a robust IT enabled platform where the members can seek information, transact and make or receive electronic payments

How it functions

Sellers (farmers) and buyers (merchants) register through nearest Akshaya Centre or log on to www.e-krishi.org
Post the materials for selling/buying
Post and view advertisements
Virtual meeting of buyer and sellers through the web and effect transaction

Toll Free Call Centre

Help farmers and buyers in solving trade related doubts
Provides details on good agricultural practices including local weather
Managed by qualified agricultural specialists

Benefits to Member Farmers

Access to markets with prevailing price information and ensuring correct price for their products
Access to schemes, subsidies, modern agricultural methods, best practices, soil testing, seeds, plantlets, fertilizers and pest control
Facilities for grading agricultural produces
Logistics support and cost sharing possibilities
Access to micro credits
Agri-insurance support/faster claim processing
Access to accounting practices and documentation support

Benefits to Member Agricultural Input Providers

Contact farmers producing any specific crop and confirm purchases in advance facilitating better control over supplies.
Virtual aggregation of the produces.
Buyer/exporters to post their pick-up quantities by date, by market-venue/warehouse.
Plan logistics routes for collection of agri-produce in advance, seeing the offer from farmers in various locations.
Select farmers for producing any specific variety of crops on contractual basis integrating supplies of seeds/plantlets, farm maintenance etc.
Easy access to customers, facility for systematic campaigning/demonstrations.
Efficient management of schemes/programs e-platform assisting in real time transactions.
Searchable directory for all stakeholders with relevant details (contact persons, location, products/services offered, schemes & programs, territorial jurisdiction etc.,) supported by robust platforms for communication, transaction and e-payments.
Access to weather information and crop planning.

For more information: e-krishi.org