Farmers in Kapilvastu using networking app

By Our Correspondent,Kapilvastu, Nov. 19: Farmers of Banganga Municipality, Kapilvastu have been using the Geokrishi App that connects farmers directly with agriculture experts.

The Geokrishi App proved a game-changer for local farmers of the district enabling them to access valuable information on pest control, weather patterns and crop management through the use of technology. The municipality has introduced the app in support of the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project (NSAF) project run by CIMMYT-Nepal under the UNDP.

The municipality has supported farmers in addressing issues like diseases in plants and improving overall agricultural productivity by integrating smart agricultural practices. Farmers are pleased with the ability to diagnose diseases and receive treatment recommendations through the platform, said Lesh Bahadur KC, Agriculture Department Head of the Municipality.

The app allows farmers to upload photos of crops, which in turn help them receive advice on the appropriate medicines and solutions, said Indresh Chaudhary, a farmer of Matteriya. 

"After the introduction of the app, we got a clear idea of which crops are compatible with each other. We also learned the price range of different crops, which makes it easier to sell our produce in the local market," said Buddhi Prasad Neupane, another farmer from the municipality.

For the past two years, Banganga Municipality has been running an initiative to connect farmers with modern technology. Over 5,000 farmers in the municipality have enrolled in the programme, benefiting from its features.

The app collects key information such as the location of the field, sowing dates, irrigation schedules and fertiliser application times. Additionally, it provides updates via SMS regarding important agricultural events, weather forecasts and even market prices for local produce, said K.C. 

Survey data collected by the municipality shows that over 15,000 households in the area are involved in agricultural activities. Of them, 5,000 farmers are utilising the service and over 1,000 are actively using the app. 

The project provides technical and other support to local farmer cooperatives like the Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative and the Agricultural and Livestock Development Multi-Purpose Cooperative.