International Pepper Community (IPC) and All India Spices Exports Forum (AISEF) launched a personalised mobile application for pepper farmers here on Wednesday.
It is aimed at supporting crop management and marketing the produce. M.K. Shanmuga Sundaram, Spices Board Secretary, launched the app.
AISEF chairman Prakash Namboodiri said that the personalised app would capture all necessary information related to farmers. This include name, address, farm area, and also the geo-location of farms. Cultivation practices can vary with variety and location. The app has the capability to load appropriate recommendations based on the variety that a farmer is cultivating and also based on the location of the farm, he said.
The app has a Package of Practice (POP) module that displays on the screen the activities to be done during each month of cultivation. Farmers need not search around to find the activities to be done in the field.
Each recommended activity is further supported with detailed write-up and multiple pictures to help farmers understand clearly how to do the activity.
The app will directly connect farmers with agri-research institutions, government and its agencies, and national and international markets. Farmers will get guidance on pepper farm practices, fertilizer recommendations, pest and other diseases identification and resolving it. The app will also guide farmers through price movements and assist them in selling their produce.
B.N.S Murthy, Commissioner, Horticulture; R. Chandra Babu, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU); Nirmal Babu, Director, Indian Institute of Spices Research; Homey Cheriyan, Director, Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development; and Hoang Thi Lien, Executive Director, International Pepper Community, Jakarta, attended.