This app promises to brighten farmers’ fortunes

This app promises to brighten farmers’ fortunes
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Highlights

Following the mantra of technology for one and all, a mobile app has been designed for farmers, wherein the latest agricultural methods and farming techniques can be accessed on mobiles. Virtual Agri Services (VAS), an android mobile application developed by Food and Agri Business School (FABS) in association with PALS Global Solutions

Virtual Agri Services (VAS) is an Android app which has been launched on a pilot basis in Krishna and Guntur districts. The app promises to reduce the input cost of farmers by as much as Rs 5,000 and increase the crop yield by 3 to 8 quintals per hectare through modern agricultural practices

Following the mantra of technology for one and all, a mobile app has been designed for farmers, wherein the latest agricultural methods and farming techniques can be accessed on mobiles. Virtual Agri Services (VAS), an android mobile application developed by Food and Agri Business School (FABS) in association with PALS Global Solutions, was launched in the city on Saturday.

The app provides services like farm inventory, agri surveillance, farm based advisory, e-soil tracker, online farmer, training, input aggregator, VAS market, financier, knowledge bank, precision farming, product and certifications. Speaking on the occasion, agriculture minister Prathipati Pulla Rao said that the application aims to update and advice farmers on modern methods of cultivation to increase crop yield, besides reducing the input cost.

Agriculture Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao launching the app on Saturday

“The developers of this app are launching it in Krishna and Guntur districts on a pilot basis. Based on the results, it would be extended to all other districts in the State. This app will help farmers get cost-effective solutions to their agricultural problems through their smartphones. It will also enable them to gain knowledge of modern methods of cultivation,” Rao said.

“They can get valuable advice pertaining to modern farming practices by staying at home. The aim of the State government is to equip farmers with the latest technology and advancements made in the agriculture field. Efforts are also on to encourage youth to take up agriculture and allied activities.

It has also been proposed to reduce the input cost by as much as Rs 5,000 and increase the crop yield by 3 to 8 quintals per hectare through modern agricultural practices. Top priority is being given to mechanisation of agriculture as it is a major contributor to the Gross State Domestic Product,” the minister added.

How do apps help farmers?

Statistics show that farmers end up earning merely 13-20 per cent of the amount a consumer pays for buying their produce, with the rest ending up with middlemen. “Currently, everyone is tech savvy. By introducing apps and websites specially on agriculture, it can help minimise the expenditure for farmers, since now they have complete and accurate information. This can make farming profitable, and lure the younger generation to stay put in agriculture,” says Thirukumar, developer of a popular app Greeno.

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