Empowering Smallholder Farmers in India through Education and Technology Implementation
Edward Yoon
Seoul International School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Publication date: December 26, 2024
Seoul International School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Publication date: December 26, 2024
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC202431
ABSTRACT
This study addresses the critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers in India due to the growing dominance of multinational corporations in the seed industry. It explores innovative, grassroots solutions to empower farmers, focusing on two key strategies: the use of blockchain technology and comprehensive farmer education programs. The paper employs a SWOT analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies within India’s agricultural context. Blockchain technology is examined for its ability to decentralize seed data, enhance transparency, and reduce reliance on intermediaries while also considering the challenges of implementing it, including the digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and low digital literacy in rural areas. Farmer education programs are assessed for their potential to enable farmers to make informed decisions and how they can be locally adapted and integrated with existing agricultural services. The findings suggest that while both strategies offer significant potential, successful implementation will require ongoing research, development, and adaptation.
This study addresses the critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers in India due to the growing dominance of multinational corporations in the seed industry. It explores innovative, grassroots solutions to empower farmers, focusing on two key strategies: the use of blockchain technology and comprehensive farmer education programs. The paper employs a SWOT analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies within India’s agricultural context. Blockchain technology is examined for its ability to decentralize seed data, enhance transparency, and reduce reliance on intermediaries while also considering the challenges of implementing it, including the digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and low digital literacy in rural areas. Farmer education programs are assessed for their potential to enable farmers to make informed decisions and how they can be locally adapted and integrated with existing agricultural services. The findings suggest that while both strategies offer significant potential, successful implementation will require ongoing research, development, and adaptation.
