Enabling technologies for AgriKiosk project in reaching out remote area farmers

The AgriKiosk project consists of a collaborative network of handheld devices that are expected to provide crucial information to the farmers that live in remote areas of Pakistan. The devices are planned to be interactive in local languages in order to allow the farmers to get useful advices and timely information. The device contents are programmed remotely by the use of high performance servers. This project involves platform specific software development. Level-1 machines development is already in progress and work is in progress for selecting and establishing a suitable network infrastructure. Since the farmers in remote areas may not want to interact with electronic gadgets, it is proposed that the existing cell phone network be utilized for implementation of information delivery through a familiar interface. However, like other international projects, this project is expected to use multiple platforms as per local needs and environment