Transformative Potential of Agricultural Mobile Market Information System in Tamilnadu, India: An Exploratory Study

Introduction

Agriculture is the main source of income for around 2.5 billion people in the developing world (FAO, 2003). In most of the semi-peripheral nations, the agricultural sector is the largest and most critical economic sector. The Indian agricultural sector provides employment for about 65% of the total labor force, accounts for 27% of the GDP growth, contributes 21% of total exports and also provides raw materials to several industries (Malhan, 2007). The impact of the agricultural sector is wide-ranging and extends to economic growth, food security, poverty reduction, livelihoods, rural development and the environment. Moreover, the poorest half of the population benefits significantly more from agricultural growth than growth in other sectors of the economy (UN, 2008; World Bank, 2007).

India has a dominant position in world agriculture, with the second largest arable land bank in the world and it ranks in one of the top three producers of rice, wheat, coarse grains, fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee and jute. India also has some of the largest livestock populations in the world which combined with the large farming sector ensures that agri-business remains the overwhelming contributor to the economy from both monetary and employment perspectives (Malhan, 2007).