Establishing a Unified Understanding of Digital Interventions for Inclusive Agriculture

Dec 18, 2023

In a significant step towards fostering digital innovation and inclusion in agriculture, the CGIAR Digital Innovation (DI) Initiative team from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) organized a one-day National Stakeholder Consultation workshop which garnered active participation from key stakeholders within India’s evolving digital ecosystem.

The workshop brought together practitioners, experts, and delegates from renowned non-profit organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and agri-tech companies that have been instrumental in propelling the digital agriculture revolution in India in varying capacities.

Digitalization is increasingly influencing the way agri-food systems operate. However, the digital transformation process continues to remain uneven in both geographic and socioeconomic contexts. To deal with the issue and reduce digital divide, the DI Initiative has developed a Digital Inclusion Index (DII) as its flagship output that aims to provide standard metrics and guidelines for enabling and evaluating digital inclusiveness. Increased awareness for the (DII) was among the primary goals for the conduct of the stakeholder consultation.

Researchers from IWMI presented a preliminary version of the index to the participants for feedback, validation, and potential revisions that could help in developing its beta version, in preparation for its rollout.

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Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

• Pinpoint accuracy of four individual sections allows you to operate the system with ease. This robust design with few moving parts offers no gimmicks, just real-world results.

• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute