Agriculture remains a vital sector in developing nations, directly or indirectly employing over 50% of the workforce. According to Mr. Litu Sethi, a Research Scholar at NIT Rourkela, sustainable farming methods can simultaneously improve socio-economic conditions and benefit the environment. He emphasizes that investing in Information and Communication Technology infrastructure is crucial for rural areas to expand internet connectivity and enhance digital literacy among farmers. Policies offering free or subsidised mobile services would enable small-scale farmers to access essential information about markets, weather forecasts, and soil health. Furthermore, he advocates for increased adoption of renewable energy sources for irrigation and cold storage facilities. This requires coordinated efforts among government bodies, renewable energy companies, and telecom service providers. By combining renewable energy solutions with digital technologies, developing countries can achieve sustainable growth in agricultural productivity and create beneficial outcomes for both farmers and the environment.

Combining Digital Tools And Clean Energy For Better Farming
Mr. Litu Sethi highlights that developing countries must prioritize policies encouraging renewable energy adoption for irrigation systems and cold storage infrastructure. Such initiatives should be supported through collaboration between government agencies, renewable energy firms, and telecommunications providers. He stresses that integrating renewable energy with digital tools is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural productivity. Investment in ICT infrastructure will expand internet access to rural farmers and promote digital literacy. Policies providing free or subsidised mobile services can help small farmers obtain critical information on markets, weather patterns, and soil health. These combined efforts can create win-win situations, enhancing socio-economic conditions while contributing positively to environmental conservation in agriculture-dependent economies.
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