Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to ICAR-IIFSR. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect the information provided through the Sugarcane DSS Portal.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information primarily to provide and improve our Decision Support System (DSS) services and for internal research purposes.
Information you voluntarily provide:
- **Registration/Query Data:** Your name, mobile number, email address, village/district location, and query details when you submit a question to an expert.
- **DSS Input Data:** Soil type, irrigation source, previous crop details, and specific variety choices used in the decision-making modules.
Information collected automatically (Usage Data):
- **Usage Statistics:** Pages viewed, time spent on the portal, and frequency of use of specific DSS tools.
- **Technical Data:** IP address, browser type, and operating system.
2. How Your Information Is Used
The collected data is used for the following core purposes:
- **Service Provision:** To deliver accurate recommendations from the DSS and to ensure IIFSR experts can respond effectively to submitted queries.
- **Improvement:** To analyze usage patterns and feedback to continuously improve the accuracy and relevance of the DSS algorithms.
- **Research and Reporting:** To generate aggregated, non-personally identifiable statistics for institutional reports to the ICAR and the Government of India on farmer adoption and agricultural trends.
- **Communication:** To send critical advisories or updates regarding sugarcane management, if you have provided an email or mobile number.
3. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to outside commercial parties.
Your information may be shared only under these limited circumstances:
- **Internal Sharing:** Information may be shared internally within ICAR-IIFSR and with other authorized ICAR institutes for the purpose of joint research and improving agricultural systems.
- **Legal Compliance:** When required by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).
- **Aggregate Data:** We may share aggregated demographic or statistical information that **cannot** be used to identify any individual farmer.
4. Data Security
We implement various security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you enter, submit, or access your information. The data is stored on secure, government-maintained servers and is protected by administrative, technical, and physical safeguards.
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
