How a postman can bring cheer to farmers

A postman is well-versed within the area he is allocated and is still a vital link in many rural parts.

If all goes well, a postman can visit fields, take a snapshot of the crop yield for uploading on a platform which can enable a farmer to sell his produce directly to the buyers.

"A postman can visit a farm, click the picture of the farm and produce. This can be uploaded on a platform. This can serve as a place where a farmer can sell his product directly to the seller," said Dr Y V N Krishna Murthy, Scientific Secretary, Indian Space Research Organisation.

The Department of Space is in talks with the Department of Posts if this could take place. If this becomes a reality, the move will not only help in weeding out the middleman, but also generate more income to the farmers for his produce.

A postman is well-versed within the area he is allocated and is still a vital link in many rural parts.

The ministry is already working the DoP and has prepared a mobile app. It has also helped the DoP tag all the post offices in India. With this, information pertaining to any post offices and services it offers is gathered.

"Now, with this it would be possible to track the movements of a postman. In future this can help people track their packages," Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office which looks after the Department of Space said.

"You never know. In times ahead, you could also have your parcels delivered with the help of drones," A S Kiran Kumar, Secretary, Department of Space said.

DoS will also sign MoU with Postal Department where the space technology will be helpful in the tracking the movement of a parcel. ISRO will take Postal service in India to a new level, thus enabling the recipient to track the parcel and also decide the delivery time, Singh said.

The Narendra Modi dispensation has been emphasizing on using space technology in different ministries. The DoS has been closely working with the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Urban Development on different issues.

Elaborating on the role of space technology in various Ministries, the Minister said that Department of Space has already signed MoU with Ministry of Urban Development where the space technology will be used in projects like smart cities and housing. 

The MoU signed with Ministry of Railways will help in construction of railway tracks and managing the railway crossing.

Space technology will also be helpful in agriculture sector in the areas of crop damage assessment, soil health, blue revolution and irrigation, etc. He said that space technology is also useful in disaster management.