Thread by @internetfreedom

Revealed: IFF has its hands on 4 MoUs by the Department of Agriculture with private companies (including @Cisco, @ITCCorpCom, #Ninjakart & @reliancejio) on implementing pilot projects re: 'Digital Agriculture'.

We have the details, and the analysis ⬇️ 1/8
internetfreedom.in/algorithms-in-…

.@Cisco will, among other things, provide the Dept. of Agriculture with software like the 'Smart Agriculture Platform' that integrates sensor & satellite farming data into a single dashboard. ICT and IoT tech will soon become a reality in farming. 2/8

agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/…

The MoU with #NinjaKart, on the other hand, promises to use algorithm based tech, #machinelearning and image recognition to help with agricultural market creations and 'increase efficiency'.

The product: a 'AgriMarket place Platform' (AMP) 3/8

agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/…

The MoU with #Jio includes plans to use data from the Agri-IoT kits, government sources, and weather stations to provide farm advisories. The use of algorithmic processes to analyse and disseminate knowledge from various sources is also indicated. 4/8

agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/…

The MoU with ITC states its purpose to be a customised crop advisory service that seeks to improve production.

What the DACFW will provide ITC access to for the project: Agristack’s farmer database, digitised land records, & other 'relevant datasets'. 5/8
agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/…

Despite the vast (& sensitive!) #data in question, no clarity has been provided regarding their security *or* if farmers' data is considered "confidential" (and thus subject to protection). State depts. are not party to these MoUs, even though #agriculture is a state subject! 6/8

And this is important: When #land disputes are ongoing, digital ossification of contested #landrecords can give rise to injustice & dispossession! Before creating a digital database, these disputes must be adequately addressed without lengthy delay (but not rushed over). 7/8

In the absence of a robust #dataprotection law, these (and other issues spelled out in our analysis) concerns are legitimate — we may be witnessing a large-scale use of citizens' data to generate revenue for the government and for private companies. 8/n

internetfreedom.in/algorithms-in-…

Public ownership of data is an issue of economic justice! Farmers' data doesn't exist for corporate profit.

We need more clarity on #security #datarights and #privacy in these 'digital agriculture' projects! Help us fight for your constitutional rights 🗣
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