Always Quote by M. S. Swaminathan
“I always ask the farmers, when you get up in the morning, is there some information which you are lacking which you would like to have? Invariably they talk about weather, the market price.”
About This Quote
The speaker highlights that farmers' primary knowledge gaps revolve around weather forecasts and market prices, indicating these are critical for daily decision‑making.
In simple terms: Farmers need timely weather and price data.
Key Takeaway
Access to accurate, real‑time information empowers agricultural decisions.
Themes
Agricultural economics
Information asymmetry
Risk management
Rural livelihoods
Decision support
Mood
pragmatic
hopeful
urgent
Type
advice
observation
question
When to use this quote
- Planning planting schedules
- Choosing crop varieties
- Negotiating sales
- Managing irrigation
- Responding to weather alerts
Key Concepts
Weather forecasting
Market pricing
Supply chain
Farm management
Practical Applications
- Developing mobile apps for weather/price alerts
- Creating community information hubs
Questions to Reflect On
- How could better data change a farmer’s risk profile?
- What barriers prevent farmers from receiving accurate information?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that technology alone cannot solve deeper structural issues like market access or credit availability.
