Frederick Noronha (FN)
2006-03-02 20:42:50 UTC
Off-topic. But could be of interest to some around Pune/Baramati. I hope
to be there. Let's see the world of FLOSS generating a whole lot of
unique and useful programmes too! FN
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Sixth Annual Baramati Initiative on ICT and Development
Baramati, Maharashtra, India – March 9 - 11, 2006
Co-Organized by: Vidya Pratishthan's Institute of Information
& Technology YES BANK
The Potential of E-Agriculture
This is the sixth in a series of conferences organized by
Vidya Pratishthan’s Institute of Technology (VIIT) in
Baramati, Maharashtra, India. This year, the conference will
focus on the use of Information and Communication Technology
in Agriculture (e-Agriculture), exploring avenues through
which governments, NGO’s, development agencies and corporates
can work to successfully promote e-agriculture to benefit the
rural economy.
Though over 65 percent of India’s population resides in rural
areas, with majority working in agriculture and allied areas,
it contributes to a mere 23 percent of total GDP. Meanwhile,
the services sector has raced ahead on the back of the
phenomenal growth in the IT and ITES sectors. The agents that
funneled their growth – technology, information, and
efficient processes – now need to be chanelised into the
agriculture sector and assist India’s remaining six fifty
million to augment their earning power.
Rural areas are predominately under-developed with poor
infrastructure, electricity and roads and Indian farmers –
like many of their counterparts across the world – are
sustaining themselves on archaic methods and processes. To
achieve a sustainable level of food production it is
necessary that they have seamless access to:
Information on weather, production and cultivation
techniques, seeds and fertilizers, plant nutrients and water
usage
Funds and liability coverage through agri-finance and
agri-insurance
Assistance from universities on new techniques (such as
biotechnology) used to increase production yield
Market infrastructure like warehouses and Cold-chain
management
Thus, creative delivery of information and other resources to
farmers becomes vital. E-agriculture aims to harness the
potential of information and communication technology (ICT)
to enhance the dissemination of vital information on
agriculture to the rural population. Various agencies –
including government, corporates and NGO’s – have utilized
ICT to implement innovative solutions and facilitate the
access to knowledge.
The Baramati Initiative seeks to synergize these learnings
through presentations and panel discussions involving not
only experts and practitioners from NGOs, corporations and
government agencies, but also the grassroots partners, the
ultimate beneficiaries.
Panels include:
Innovative Practices showcasing the benefits of ICT for the
Agriculture Sector
Role of ICT in facilitating Agri-Finance and Agri-Insurance
Research on use of ICT in Agriculture
Government and E-Agriculture: Government’s Support for
E-Agriculture
Corporate experiences – Trade facilitation through ICT
The Power of Collaboration: Success stories
The Future of E-Agriculture and Critical success factors
Further, the annual conference will continue to act as a
platform for information exchange, exploring ways in which
information and communication technology is being used as a
tool to empower the poor. The event is a learning opportunity
for participants allowing them to:
Interact directly with grassroots partners i.e. people who
are using this technology, and to learn from them the
difference that ICT has made a difference in their lives
Meet and interact with individuals and organizations that are
financing these efforts
Learn about new trends via exhibits and demonstration booths
The Baramati Concept
The basic concept behind this event is to highlight the
enormous potential of digital technologies and digital
economy to help poor communities.
Poverty-alleviation organizations, social entrepreneurs,
government institutions, corporate enterprises and even
uneducated, village entrepreneurs are continuously developing
technological solutions to serve the often-overlooked
customers at the bottom of the pyramid. These solutions are
bringing the benefits of the digital age—increased access to
markets, education, environmental information, and government
services – to communities around the world. In doing so,
they are helping to build the business, economic and social
cases for investing in systems and infrastructure needed to
serve the poorest of the poor. Together, they are helping to
empower hundreds and millions of the world’s underprivileged
to become agents of their own development.
The purpose of Baramati initiative is to showcase how ICT is
being employed to provide sustainable solutions to the needs
of poor communities. The conference takes place in Baramati,
a village located in rural Maharashtra where an ecosystem
using ICT to aid the rural economy has been successfully
created.
This conference attracts over 150 participants each year with
over 30-40 foreign participants. Over the last 5 years, the
Baramati Initiative has become one of the key forums for
people to exchange information on innovative efforts in the
field of ICT and Development.
About VIIT
http://www.viitindia.org
Vidya Pratishthan’s Institute of Information Technology was
established in February 2000 at Baramati with an aim to
provide quality education in the field of Information
Technology and Computer Science. VIIT is a progressive
institution equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and
committed to human resource development.
Conference Website: http://www.baramatiinitiatives.org
About YES BANK
http://www.yesbank.in
YES BANK, India’s new age private sector Bank, is the outcome
of the professional commitment of its Indian promoters, Rana
Kapoor and Ashok Kapur, to establish a high quality, customer
centric, service driven, private Indian Bank catering to
“Emerging India”.
YES BANK has adopted international best practices, the
highest standards of service quality and operational
excellence, and offers comprehensive banking and financial
solutions to all its valued customers. A key strength and
differentiating feature of YES BANK is its knowledge driven
approach to banking. The Bank has formed a specialized
‘Development and Knowledge Banking Division’ focusing on key
sunrise growth sectors with predominant focus on Food and
Agriculture.
The Bank’s constant endeavor is to provide a delightful
banking experience expressed with simplicity, empathy and
totality.
AGENDA:
Thursday, March 9, 2006
5:00 pm Participants assemble in Pune at Blue Diamond
Hotel and leave for Baramati (Buses will be arranged to
transport all participants)
7:30 pm Hotel Check-In
8:00 pm Reception and Dinner (Welcome)
Mr. Sharad Kulkarni – Chairman, Governing Council, VIIT
Mr. Sadanand Sule – Member Governing Council, VIIT
Commissioner - Agriculture GOM - Potential of E-Agriculture
Friday, March 10, 2006
10:00 am Inauguration & Inaugural Address
Mr. Rana Patil, Minister of State for Agriculture, GOM
Guests of Honor & Key Note Address:
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman Planning
Commission, GOI
12:15 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Innovative Practices showcasing the benefits of ICT
for the Agriculture Sector
Dr. Kirthi Ramamrutham - IIT , Powai
Dr. Goje – Principal, VIIT
Dr. Peter Smetes – Wageningen, Netherlands
Mr.Helmut Drewes, Agrista, Zambia
Mr. Michael F.Carter* – World Bank
Mr. Johannes Keizer* - FAO
2.30 pm Tea Break
2.45 pm Role of ICT in facilitating Agri-Finance and
Agri-Insurance
Moderator
Mr. G. Chandrashekar – Deputy Editor of Business Line
Speakers
Mr.Edwin Moyo, CEO, Trans Zambezi Industries Ltd,
Mr. Prashanth , Insurance Expert, BASIX Group
Mr. Kalyan Chakravarthy - YES BANK
Ms. Paul Asel* – IFC
Mr. Sonu Agrawal– MD, Weather Risk Management Services Pvt.
Ltd.
Mr. Vineet Rai – CEO, Aavishkar
4.15 p.m. Tea break
4.30 pm Research on use of ICT in Agriculture
Dr. Jayanth Chatterjee, Prof IIT Kanpur
Mr. Sudhir Ahluwalia, Tata Consultancy Services
Mr.T.V.Prabhakar, Prof IIT Kanpur
Dr.V P Sharma, Director, MANAGE
Dr. S.S. Magar , Vice Chancellor , Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Dapoli
6:00 pm Summarizing the day 1 – Dr. Amol Goje
6:30 pm Cultural Program & Dinner
9:00 pm End of Day 1
Saturday, March 11, 2006
9:00 am Field-trip to KVK and Sugar Cooperative
11:15 am Break
11:30 am Government and E-Agriculture: Government’s
Support for E-Agriculture
Moderator
Ms. Radha Singh*, Secretary - Ministry of Agriculture, GOI
Speakers
Ms. Suryakanta Patil, Minster of State for Rural Development,
GOI
Dr.M.Moni, Deputy Director General, NIC
Dr. P.D. Kaushik, Director- Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
Dr. A.K. Chakravarthy, Advisor, GOI, Dept of IT
Mr. Sanjiv Chopra, Principal Secretary - IT, GOUt
Mr. G.D. Gautama – Secretary IT, GOWB
Mr. J.S. Saharia* – Principal Secretary – Agriculture &
Horticulture, GOM
Mr.Graham Walker, Managing Director Gov3, UK
Mr. Askar Abubakirov, Department of Strategic Development
and International Cooperation, Kazakhstan
1:30 pm Lunch
2:15 pm Corporate experiences – Trade facilitation
through ICT
Moderator
Dr. Frida.Youssef - UNCTAD
Speakers
Mr. Siva Kumar –CEO, ITC -IBD
Mr. Raul Montemayor, National Business Manager, Federation of
Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc , Philippines
Mr. Narayanan - Head Agri business, SPIC
Mr. Kapil Mehan – COO, TATA Chemicals
3:45 pm The Power of Collaboration: Success stories
Mr. Rashid Kidwai – SEWA
Swaminathan Foundation
Mr. Sunil Kairnar - CEO, Agriwatch
Mr. Swetank Gupta – CEO, Gramdoot Seva Kendra
Mr. Apurva Mehta – Trade Advisor, Canadian Delegation, Canada
Mr. Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya - ekGaon
5:15 pm Break
5:30 pm The Future of E-Agriculture: Special Plenary
Moderated by Mr. G. Chandrashekar – Deputy Editor of Business
Line
Mr. P. Chidambaram Minister for Finance, GOI
Mr.Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture, Food & Civil
Supplies, Consumer affairs and Public distribution, GOI
Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman & Managing Director, BASF
Mr. Rana Kapoor, Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK
Mr.Vijay Mahajan, CEO, BASIX
Mr. Yogi C. Deveshwar* – Chairman, ITC
Mr. Sunil Mittal* – Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti
Group
Mr. A.C. Muthiah*, Chairman & Managing Director, SPIC
Mr. S. Ramadorai*, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Consultancy
Services
Mr. A.K.Purwar*, Chairman, State Bank of India
Dr. Y.S.P. Thorat*, Managing Director, NABARD
7:00 pm Valedictory Address – Dr. Kamal Taori, Chairman,
National Productivity Council
7.30 pm Dinner
Sunday, March 12, 2006
9:00 am Breakfast & Departure
* Confirmation Awaited
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcslug/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
bcslug-***@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
to be there. Let's see the world of FLOSS generating a whole lot of
unique and useful programmes too! FN
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Sixth Annual Baramati Initiative on ICT and Development
Baramati, Maharashtra, India – March 9 - 11, 2006
Co-Organized by: Vidya Pratishthan's Institute of Information
& Technology YES BANK
The Potential of E-Agriculture
This is the sixth in a series of conferences organized by
Vidya Pratishthan’s Institute of Technology (VIIT) in
Baramati, Maharashtra, India. This year, the conference will
focus on the use of Information and Communication Technology
in Agriculture (e-Agriculture), exploring avenues through
which governments, NGO’s, development agencies and corporates
can work to successfully promote e-agriculture to benefit the
rural economy.
Though over 65 percent of India’s population resides in rural
areas, with majority working in agriculture and allied areas,
it contributes to a mere 23 percent of total GDP. Meanwhile,
the services sector has raced ahead on the back of the
phenomenal growth in the IT and ITES sectors. The agents that
funneled their growth – technology, information, and
efficient processes – now need to be chanelised into the
agriculture sector and assist India’s remaining six fifty
million to augment their earning power.
Rural areas are predominately under-developed with poor
infrastructure, electricity and roads and Indian farmers –
like many of their counterparts across the world – are
sustaining themselves on archaic methods and processes. To
achieve a sustainable level of food production it is
necessary that they have seamless access to:
Information on weather, production and cultivation
techniques, seeds and fertilizers, plant nutrients and water
usage
Funds and liability coverage through agri-finance and
agri-insurance
Assistance from universities on new techniques (such as
biotechnology) used to increase production yield
Market infrastructure like warehouses and Cold-chain
management
Thus, creative delivery of information and other resources to
farmers becomes vital. E-agriculture aims to harness the
potential of information and communication technology (ICT)
to enhance the dissemination of vital information on
agriculture to the rural population. Various agencies –
including government, corporates and NGO’s – have utilized
ICT to implement innovative solutions and facilitate the
access to knowledge.
The Baramati Initiative seeks to synergize these learnings
through presentations and panel discussions involving not
only experts and practitioners from NGOs, corporations and
government agencies, but also the grassroots partners, the
ultimate beneficiaries.
Panels include:
Innovative Practices showcasing the benefits of ICT for the
Agriculture Sector
Role of ICT in facilitating Agri-Finance and Agri-Insurance
Research on use of ICT in Agriculture
Government and E-Agriculture: Government’s Support for
E-Agriculture
Corporate experiences – Trade facilitation through ICT
The Power of Collaboration: Success stories
The Future of E-Agriculture and Critical success factors
Further, the annual conference will continue to act as a
platform for information exchange, exploring ways in which
information and communication technology is being used as a
tool to empower the poor. The event is a learning opportunity
for participants allowing them to:
Interact directly with grassroots partners i.e. people who
are using this technology, and to learn from them the
difference that ICT has made a difference in their lives
Meet and interact with individuals and organizations that are
financing these efforts
Learn about new trends via exhibits and demonstration booths
The Baramati Concept
The basic concept behind this event is to highlight the
enormous potential of digital technologies and digital
economy to help poor communities.
Poverty-alleviation organizations, social entrepreneurs,
government institutions, corporate enterprises and even
uneducated, village entrepreneurs are continuously developing
technological solutions to serve the often-overlooked
customers at the bottom of the pyramid. These solutions are
bringing the benefits of the digital age—increased access to
markets, education, environmental information, and government
services – to communities around the world. In doing so,
they are helping to build the business, economic and social
cases for investing in systems and infrastructure needed to
serve the poorest of the poor. Together, they are helping to
empower hundreds and millions of the world’s underprivileged
to become agents of their own development.
The purpose of Baramati initiative is to showcase how ICT is
being employed to provide sustainable solutions to the needs
of poor communities. The conference takes place in Baramati,
a village located in rural Maharashtra where an ecosystem
using ICT to aid the rural economy has been successfully
created.
This conference attracts over 150 participants each year with
over 30-40 foreign participants. Over the last 5 years, the
Baramati Initiative has become one of the key forums for
people to exchange information on innovative efforts in the
field of ICT and Development.
About VIIT
http://www.viitindia.org
Vidya Pratishthan’s Institute of Information Technology was
established in February 2000 at Baramati with an aim to
provide quality education in the field of Information
Technology and Computer Science. VIIT is a progressive
institution equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and
committed to human resource development.
Conference Website: http://www.baramatiinitiatives.org
About YES BANK
http://www.yesbank.in
YES BANK, India’s new age private sector Bank, is the outcome
of the professional commitment of its Indian promoters, Rana
Kapoor and Ashok Kapur, to establish a high quality, customer
centric, service driven, private Indian Bank catering to
“Emerging India”.
YES BANK has adopted international best practices, the
highest standards of service quality and operational
excellence, and offers comprehensive banking and financial
solutions to all its valued customers. A key strength and
differentiating feature of YES BANK is its knowledge driven
approach to banking. The Bank has formed a specialized
‘Development and Knowledge Banking Division’ focusing on key
sunrise growth sectors with predominant focus on Food and
Agriculture.
The Bank’s constant endeavor is to provide a delightful
banking experience expressed with simplicity, empathy and
totality.
AGENDA:
Thursday, March 9, 2006
5:00 pm Participants assemble in Pune at Blue Diamond
Hotel and leave for Baramati (Buses will be arranged to
transport all participants)
7:30 pm Hotel Check-In
8:00 pm Reception and Dinner (Welcome)
Mr. Sharad Kulkarni – Chairman, Governing Council, VIIT
Mr. Sadanand Sule – Member Governing Council, VIIT
Commissioner - Agriculture GOM - Potential of E-Agriculture
Friday, March 10, 2006
10:00 am Inauguration & Inaugural Address
Mr. Rana Patil, Minister of State for Agriculture, GOM
Guests of Honor & Key Note Address:
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman Planning
Commission, GOI
12:15 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Innovative Practices showcasing the benefits of ICT
for the Agriculture Sector
Dr. Kirthi Ramamrutham - IIT , Powai
Dr. Goje – Principal, VIIT
Dr. Peter Smetes – Wageningen, Netherlands
Mr.Helmut Drewes, Agrista, Zambia
Mr. Michael F.Carter* – World Bank
Mr. Johannes Keizer* - FAO
2.30 pm Tea Break
2.45 pm Role of ICT in facilitating Agri-Finance and
Agri-Insurance
Moderator
Mr. G. Chandrashekar – Deputy Editor of Business Line
Speakers
Mr.Edwin Moyo, CEO, Trans Zambezi Industries Ltd,
Mr. Prashanth , Insurance Expert, BASIX Group
Mr. Kalyan Chakravarthy - YES BANK
Ms. Paul Asel* – IFC
Mr. Sonu Agrawal– MD, Weather Risk Management Services Pvt.
Ltd.
Mr. Vineet Rai – CEO, Aavishkar
4.15 p.m. Tea break
4.30 pm Research on use of ICT in Agriculture
Dr. Jayanth Chatterjee, Prof IIT Kanpur
Mr. Sudhir Ahluwalia, Tata Consultancy Services
Mr.T.V.Prabhakar, Prof IIT Kanpur
Dr.V P Sharma, Director, MANAGE
Dr. S.S. Magar , Vice Chancellor , Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Dapoli
6:00 pm Summarizing the day 1 – Dr. Amol Goje
6:30 pm Cultural Program & Dinner
9:00 pm End of Day 1
Saturday, March 11, 2006
9:00 am Field-trip to KVK and Sugar Cooperative
11:15 am Break
11:30 am Government and E-Agriculture: Government’s
Support for E-Agriculture
Moderator
Ms. Radha Singh*, Secretary - Ministry of Agriculture, GOI
Speakers
Ms. Suryakanta Patil, Minster of State for Rural Development,
GOI
Dr.M.Moni, Deputy Director General, NIC
Dr. P.D. Kaushik, Director- Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
Dr. A.K. Chakravarthy, Advisor, GOI, Dept of IT
Mr. Sanjiv Chopra, Principal Secretary - IT, GOUt
Mr. G.D. Gautama – Secretary IT, GOWB
Mr. J.S. Saharia* – Principal Secretary – Agriculture &
Horticulture, GOM
Mr.Graham Walker, Managing Director Gov3, UK
Mr. Askar Abubakirov, Department of Strategic Development
and International Cooperation, Kazakhstan
1:30 pm Lunch
2:15 pm Corporate experiences – Trade facilitation
through ICT
Moderator
Dr. Frida.Youssef - UNCTAD
Speakers
Mr. Siva Kumar –CEO, ITC -IBD
Mr. Raul Montemayor, National Business Manager, Federation of
Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc , Philippines
Mr. Narayanan - Head Agri business, SPIC
Mr. Kapil Mehan – COO, TATA Chemicals
3:45 pm The Power of Collaboration: Success stories
Mr. Rashid Kidwai – SEWA
Swaminathan Foundation
Mr. Sunil Kairnar - CEO, Agriwatch
Mr. Swetank Gupta – CEO, Gramdoot Seva Kendra
Mr. Apurva Mehta – Trade Advisor, Canadian Delegation, Canada
Mr. Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya - ekGaon
5:15 pm Break
5:30 pm The Future of E-Agriculture: Special Plenary
Moderated by Mr. G. Chandrashekar – Deputy Editor of Business
Line
Mr. P. Chidambaram Minister for Finance, GOI
Mr.Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture, Food & Civil
Supplies, Consumer affairs and Public distribution, GOI
Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman & Managing Director, BASF
Mr. Rana Kapoor, Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK
Mr.Vijay Mahajan, CEO, BASIX
Mr. Yogi C. Deveshwar* – Chairman, ITC
Mr. Sunil Mittal* – Chairman & Managing Director, Bharti
Group
Mr. A.C. Muthiah*, Chairman & Managing Director, SPIC
Mr. S. Ramadorai*, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Consultancy
Services
Mr. A.K.Purwar*, Chairman, State Bank of India
Dr. Y.S.P. Thorat*, Managing Director, NABARD
7:00 pm Valedictory Address – Dr. Kamal Taori, Chairman,
National Productivity Council
7.30 pm Dinner
Sunday, March 12, 2006
9:00 am Breakfast & Departure
* Confirmation Awaited
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcslug/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
bcslug-***@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/