Implementing GIS in Government

National institutions that oversee agriculture at the governmental level have a multifaceted responsibility to a wide range of seemingly disparate groups. All the way through the food supply chain from farmer to consumer, agricultural ministries and departments collect, collate, manage, and disseminate information. Such activities are only going to increase with growing public awareness of farming practices and resultant legislation.

If there is a foreseen overriding theme in new efforts to better manage agriculture, it might be communication, not just between government and consumer but also internally. While not being the whole solution, GIS can assist, and the following is a selection of applications where GIS has been implemented to move toward this goal.