December 20, 2007 .

The government said on Friday it would work in partnership with private companies to make mobile phones more affordable to farmers as low as Rs 500. Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes while addressing an Assocham event today said by pushing the digitisation of communication technology to make mobile phones affordable to the farmers of the country, the government would work along with private companies.

The minister said top priority of the government was to promote digital science to cut costs of mobile telephone instruments for aam admi and also make them accessible to cheaper entertainment.

"The government is doing its best to connect village farmers with mobile phones so that with internet accessibility, the farmers can dictate a fair price of its produce to end consumers," he said. He added the ministry of communication, information and broadcasting and other relevant government departments were working collectively to make mobile accessibility available to every farmer so that the telecom revolution becomes inclusive for all.

With growing internet facilities, the farmers should be able to know the latest trends for sowing his seeds, harvesting its crops, how to pour fertiliser and in what quantity, as a result of which the country's farm production could be substantially hiked and exports can rise significantly, Fernandes said.

By (Red)