Present position and perspectives of development of information and communication technologies in agriculture

摘要

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become oné of the most important factors of economy development. Good-quality and on-time information gathered with the use of ICT are understood as an important step toward success of small - and medium-size companies. Current state of the use of ICT in agriculture was investigated using questionnaire research in a sample of 60 agricultural farms. Due to quite a low response rate, only 32 farms in the Slovak Republic have been analyzed. Survey results showed the use of quite obsolete ICT equipment (only 15% of PII, 22.6% of PIII, and 3.8% of PIV), though in comparison to survey in 2001, Internet connection of agricultural farms increased up to 81%. Of this number, 48% of farms operate their own information web pages. However, situation is not satisfactory, because in most enterprises ICT has not become a standard means for an improvement in productivity and competitiveness and the top management of agricultural enterprises have not defined information strategy for the future. But competent approach, and decision making can lead to a satisfactory level of solving all information tasks of these enterprises without higher financial requirements.