In today's world, image building communication system is an integral part of corporate strategy. Image comes from imagination. Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge", and "He who has learning without imagination has feet but no wings". ANPL imagined this years ago, when it embarked into a virgin field of agro-e-commerce. Now is the time to rapidly operationalize this.

In this context we are talking about building a robust corporate image rooted in foundation of practical and easy to use learning tools and gadgets for the entire value chain comprising farmers, KPKs, input supplier of goods and services, transportation, buyers etc. Agroecommerce today-, is an industry that needs the services of real time power of Information and communication technology (ICT). ICS undertakes to spearhead this initiative.

Background
Agroecommerce Network Pvt. Ltd. (ANPL) was established to promote "Total Quality Agriculture" in the farming sector and to convert the farmer to an industrialist. Quite rightly agriculture has been recognized by the Indian Government, as an industry. The ANPL mandate is to provide the requisite services to meet the requirements of distribution of agricultural products by providing optimum realization to the producers/sellers of agro products and making the same available to consumers/buyers at the optimum price. To achieve this, ANPL created the physical network of farmers through setting up of Krishi Pragati Kendras at 5 village levels and also backward and forward services integration with the KPK.
In the present scheme of things the Krishi Pragati Kendra (KPK) is the facilitation center for optimal use of knowledge, resources and increased earnings for rural segments. A network of farmers, suppliers of agricultural inputs, knowledge of soil, cropping, weather, soil & water conservation, prudent use of fertilizers and pesticides, organic inputs, storage of produce, cooperative selling, crop insurance etc., are some of the possibilities to realize this. This will create a seamless network of producers, buyers, sellers and service providers, thus creating a "ONE STOP SERVICE SHOP OR SINGLE WINDOW INTERFACE" for the farmer. This will help in disintermediation of the supply chain, based on real time knowledge at each step. Also, Total Quality Agriculture (TQA) would ensure a strong knowledge base, training and assessment tools on a continuously improvement basis.
All these will require a very robust ICS (Knowledge Management) backbone.
Tools / Aides
ICS will facilitate learning inputs using various knowledge tools and gadgets such as VCD's, audio cassettes, the Print media (brochures, booklets, posters) and dynamic portals. This will help collect & disseminate knowledge; provide-1nformation; keep digital record’s of farmers, facilitate trade and revenue management for the entire - agroecommerce value chain integrating with other divisions of ANPL.
Tasks of the ICS Division;
Work as a knowledge fountainhead of:
Network Management:                                                                                                                   TOP ^
The aim is to network farmers throughout India through KPK's in all climatic conditions and help them with cheaper inputs and higher selling prices with the know how to conserve vital resources (water, energy, soil, fertilizers and pesticides) and learn and use Total quality management techniques.
Creation of knowledge dossiers in printed and multimedia forms in an essay and simple style, in their own language would be the key to the success of this endeavor and therefore vital. ICS will facilitate at all levels - using learning tools and gadgets for the entire agriculture chain that includes farmer aggregation, backward and forward integration of inputs, produce, suppliers -- and sellers through knowledge dissemination on lCT backbone.
All relevant forms databases etc. would be designed and maintained in a standardized way,. Report design an generation would be standardized. KPK's would be trained to maintain them along with an understanding of basic accounting fundamentals, taxes applicable etc. Lists of FAQ's and answers in each area would be developed.
Business Development:                                                                                                                   TOP ^
There are business targets at all levels - Zonal to KPK. A clear understanding of business development methodology would be imparted trough training. Each region has peculiarities that need to be understood and dovetailed with the organizational philosophy of doing business. Highest standards of integrity leading to total transparency would be inculcated. The targets would be aggressive; hence high level of energy would be required. A fair system would be designed to reward the high performers. ICS would follow a highly developed philosophy-"Clients for life.”, that means developing a lasting partnership with both internal and external clients. The marketing tools using print, audio/ video multi media would be designed and used for maximum impact.
Agricultural Technology:                                                                                                              TOP ^
An exhaustive knowledge base of contemporary agricultural practices that include inputs, production, pest control, nutrients, harvesting, storage, transportation of produce, etc would be developed and maintained in a data base, connected to the portal. Queries would be answered using this knowledge base. A team of advisors comprising agriculturalists, agrochemical experts, agronomists etc would be invited to the ANPL panel for technical expertise & consultancy. Since this is the backbone of agriculture, a very high premium would be placed on knowledge. The aim is to help the farmer in prevention of crop diseases and to achieve high productivity and quality with environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources - land, water, energy and waste. Each crop would have a CD as the knowledge tool covering most areas of concern to a typical farmer. ICS with inputs from agricultural expert would develop these CD's and other tools.
Information Technology:                                                                                                              TOP ^
This is the backbone of knowledge dissemination. A portal will be developed to cover the entire chain of agroecommerce. All above areas discussed would be accessed through the computer connected to the Internet. The central server would maintain all back end databases and search engines. Information right from the registration of a farmer, transactions, fee payment, history, land records, reports - soil testing, water testing etc, inputs, insurance, revenues, ICS tools bought and used, storage of produce, quality of produce, best prices available, cost of transportation, weather, pest control, loans, crop insurance and many others things would be maintained. The report structure would be developed in such a manner that with a few clicks the farmer gets his report. A very high degree of systems integrity and robust systems engineering would go into this. Training tools at each level of systems maintenance, databases, report generation, fault correction etc. would be developed on a CD or maintained on the hard disk of the computer.
Total Quality Agriculture:                                                                                                               TOP ^
ICS would work on developing learning tools and gadgets for assisting farmers in acquiring certifications. Learning would be imparted to personnel at all levels- Zonal to KPK level and ultimately to the farmer The development work on training content development and training modules would be undertaken by ICS under guidance of TQA division. This will cover all levels of QA with well-defined competencies. Training modules are based on competencies that include training on quality tools, soft skills and management.