Consider the following statements about the role of information technology (IT) in rural development:
(A) Governments can predict areas of food insecurity and vulnerability using information and software tools.
(B) IT has the potential of employment generation in rural areas.
(C) There is broad consensus that IT can play a critical role in achieving food security.
(D) IT can give farmers information on prices, but not on weather and soil conditions.
(E) Experiments with IT in rural development have so far been confined to one state of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (B) and (C) only
(A) Governments can predict areas of food insecurity and vulnerability using information and software tools. — Correct. This lets action be taken before an emergency.
(B) IT has the potential of employment generation in rural areas. — Correct. IT can create jobs in villages.
(C) There is broad consensus that IT can play a critical role in achieving food security. — Correct. There is broad consensus on this.
(D) IT can give farmers information on prices, but not on weather and soil conditions. — Incorrect. IT gives information on prices and also on weather and soil conditions.
(E) Experiments with IT in rural development have so far been confined to one state of India. — Incorrect. They are carried out in different parts of India.
NCERT (2026-27): “5.5 Diversification into Productive Activities … Other Alternate Livelihood Options: The IT has revolutionised many sectors in the Indian economy. There is broad consensus that IT can play a critical role in achieving sustainable development and food security in the twenty-first century. Governments can predict areas of food insecurity and vulnerability using appropriate information and software tools so that action can be taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of an emergency. It also has a positive impact on the agriculture sector as it can disseminate information regarding emerging technologies and its applications, prices, weather and soil conditions for growing different crops etc. Though IT is, by itself, no catalyst of change but it can act as a tool for releasing the creative potential and knowledge embedded in the society. It also has potential of employment generation in rural areas. Experiments with IT and its application to rural development are carried out in different parts of India.” |