माघ ६, २०७८  |  Prakash Sejwal

More than 60 percent of the country's population is still relied on the agriculture sector (Krishi Diary, 2078). Despite the involvement of a huge population in the agriculture of the country, only 18% of the farmers are able to get agriculture extension services in Nepal (Krishi Diary, 2078). The remaining no of the population was not able to get the agriculture advisory services which result in lower production and less awareness among the farmers.

Ever since the pandemic happened, the internet and smartphone users in the country is growing gradually, According to Datareportal‘s recent stats, internet users reached 10.78MN (36.7%) in Nepal between 2020 and 2021. This is an increase of 567 thousand (5.67 lakh) new users (+5.5%) within 12 months. Datareportal’s report also includes the stats about the ratio of mobile possession on average for each individual. The recent stats have shown that there were 38.61 million (131.3%) mobile connections in Nepal in January 2021. (https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-nepal)

In the new federal structure, the role of providing extension service falls under 753 local bodies. However, the government extension system is estimated to reach only 18 percent of farm households. The extension worker to farmer ratio in Nepal is far too stretched than the average rate of 1:1500 in South Asia compared to 1:200 recommended for optimum results (FAO,2010). So, the current human resource will not be able to provide the extension services to all the farmers.  Instead, if we enable the digital agriculture advisory services, we can reach out to more farmers and can achieve effective results. e-Chautari: Digital platform for farmers learning

In general, Chautari is a rest stop usually found along the foot trails of rural Nepal. However, in a village, they also provide a place for social gatherings. We all know, most Nepalese farmers are from rural areas of the country where internet access is insubstantial and digital literacy is limited to a certain age group. e-Chautari brought such farmers together with the digital agriculture advisory services.  A minimum criterion for the e-Chautari establishment is internet access.  So, from the above we can conclude that e-Chautari is a place connected with the internet access and allocated space for the farmers gathering with enabling digital agriculture advisory services.

Pathway technology and services Pvt. Ltd initiated the GeoKrishi e-Chautari platform from where those farmers who are not the access to the internet and smartphone can take benefits. The e-Chautari is being established in a nearby place of the farmers' community i.e., Cooperative, Ward and Palika Office, etc. where there is access to the internet. We are trying to reach out to more and more farmers through e-Chautari establishment so that no farmers are left behind getting the digital agriculture advisory service.

Activities  

Training and Orientation: Each e-Chautari has one facilitator in which s/he will conduct training or provide orientation to the gathered farmers on the GeoKrishi farm app. From the GeoKrishi app farmers can get the advisory service related to the crop and livestock. Also, market price information, weather alert, fertilizer calculators, farmers diary, smart geo notification, crop and livestock health with expert consultation (even farmers can send their problem by clicking a photo with the problems details and respective expert evaluate the problems and send back the possible management techniques to the farmers) from the e-Chautari.

    Meetings and Discussion:  In the e-Chautari, farmers can gather and discuss their problems related to agriculture. They can share their learning stories, practices and place their demand on input (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, equipment’s and materials) used. Those farmers who were not in the access of smartphones also can take advisory information services by asking with other presence in e-Chautari.

     Webinar: Based on farmers growing concerns and queries, GeoKrishi is conducting its webinar series twice/thrice a month. The topic of the webinar is being selected as per the farmers' demand on the social media platform, help desk no, and as partners suggestion. From such a webinar series farmer directly can put their queries and problems to the subject matter specialist and can get a prompt response instantly. We have conducted webinar series on Rice (Disease and Pest, Post-harvest management), Maize (Disease and Pest), and Wheat. Through this webinar series, farmers from different corners of the country can get the services all at a time.  Such kinds of webinar series aim to create awareness among the farmers and find out the action around current gaps. On the other side, such events help to identify good agriculture practices (GAP) and provide possible solutions to the farmers for empowering them.

Likewise, we are trying to established more and more e-chautari in coming days in partnership with the local governments and farmers-based partners organization. So that we can reach out to the more farmers and provide right information at right time. 

प्रकाशित : माघ ६, २०७८