PDA News Release

Date: 27/07/2006
Source: DARD

Increasing Access to ICT

Ever wondered how you could reduce the amount of time spent keying information into your farm computer and at the same time make your business more organised and efficient? Farmers in Northern Ireland are currently availing of a DARD scheme, which has allowed them to do exactly this.  The “Increasing Access to ICT” Scheme provides farmers and growers with the opportunity to try out new computer technologies within their businesses and evaluate their potential. One piece of technology in particular, which has been proving very popular with participants, is the handheld computer.

Officially known as a Personal Digital Assistant, (PDA) this device is in effect, a miniature version of a home computer and can perform most of the simple office tasks you are likely to need. At a basic level, farmers have been able to copy existing spreadsheets containing crop information from their PC onto their PDA. The PDA can be linked to software packages currently running on the farm computer so that farmers can carry enterprise information with them in their pocket and access and update their records while on the move. Any information keyed during the day will automatically be updated onto the farm PC once the PDA is connected, meaning there is no need to retype the information. Participating farmers have reported that the accuracy of recording farm information, and the time saved has brought significant benefits to their business.

The “Increasing Access to ICT” scheme extends beyond the use of handheld computers on farms. Other technologies currently being evaluated include Precison Farming Systems such as GPS and process control using mobile computing.  

For more information contact
Gavin Mc Quaid
Greenmount Campus
028 9442 6639

email gavin.mcquaid@dardni.gov.uk.