In a remarkable advancement for rural agriculture, the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) has celebrated a significant achievement with its innovative digital platform, FarmPrecise. Designed to empower farmers with cutting-edge technology, the app has successfully surpassed 1 lakh downloads, providing critical agricultural insights across four Indian states. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and real-time data, FarmPrecise is revolutionizing the way farmers manage crops and resources, decreasing input costs by up to 20% and enhancing resilience in an unpredictable climate landscape.
FarmPrecise, now operational in Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, caters to a wide array of farmers with support for 38 different crops. Understanding the linguistic diversity of these regions, the app is available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Odia, enhancing access and usability for diverse farming communities.
The creation of FarmPrecise follows WOTR’s mission to facilitate climate-smart decision-making among smallholder farmers. Recognizing the dire need for customized, timely information, the app was launched, backed by advancements in wireless technology.
Utilizing scientific methodologies and meteorological insights, FarmPrecise offers a rich array of services. These consist of AI-enhanced guidance on crop cultivation and nutrient management, precise fertilizer application strategies, five-day local weather forecasts, and real-time market price updates. A comprehensive electronic compendium of pest and disease management resources is also included, helping farmers protect their yields proactively.
Key features of FarmPrecise are powered by artificial intelligence to deliver enhanced utility for farmers:
- A dedicated community platform, Krishi Manch, fosters interaction between farmers and experts, enhancing knowledge sharing and collaborative learning.
- The app incorporates modules that link farmers with collective buying and selling prospects through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), optimizing procurement and marketing potential.
Prakash Keskar, Executive Director at WOTR, highlighted the importance of the app, stating, “With a substantial rural population reliant on agriculture, equipping these communities with tools that are both practical and localised can significantly strengthen their economic standing. FarmPrecise represents a vital bridge between traditional agricultural methods and state-of-the-art precision farming, empowering farmers to make informed, timely decisions that bolster their earnings and sustainability.”
As WOTR looks to the future, the organization plans to expand the reach of FarmPrecise to 5 lakh farmers across eight states. They are eagerly exploring further integration of innovative technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and remote sensing. These advancements promise to enhance the platform’s capacity to provide hyper-local, predictive, and immediate support to farmers, driving sustainable agricultural success.
FarmPrecise’s impact exemplifies the transformative potential of technology in agriculture, setting a precedent for future initiatives aimed at bolstering rural livelihoods.
