dinesh.gautam@nimbusnepal.com

Agriculture• Around 35% of GDP comes from agriculture• Employment opportunity provided to over 65% of the total population of the country • We have to import most of the grains and oil seeds from other

countries• Untapped potential and lack of business focus key

Problems in the sector• Business angle and small landholder• Farmers have no idea on how to grow their yield- they are

following the traditional methods or copying neighbours.• Lacks knowledge on Variety, Breed and Suitability• No real knowledge of the business they are in (faced by Poultry

sector in many parts of Nepal)• Herd mentality

• Poor marketing infrastructure and market knowledge ( price variation is too lucrative for middlemen)-where? How? when?

• Mechanization? ( necessity not a luxury)• Teaching becomes effective only when we can show

visible results to them• We have the potential but we have not been able to

tap them

Problems in the sector

Commodities Nepal’s Average Prod

Internataional Av. Best

Milk 450kgs per lactation

1000 kgs 9200 kgs

Maize 2281 kgs per Hectare

4571 kgs per hectare 12000Kgs per Hectare

Enormous potential to grow

Issues in the sector• Minimum Support to farmers

- lacks information sharing even in the age of smartphones where real time communication is possible

- MSPs and Buy back guarantees

• Very Slow innovation adoption process

• Selection of commodities for comparative advantage

• Lacks plan of Sustainability ( Pesticide issue)

Plausible Solutions• Engage farmers/producers- provide year round services to encourage them to grow crops in rotation and livestocks and assist them to use their resources at the optimum• Integrate practices – encourage Dairy and organic vegetable ( farming practices that can go hand in hand )• Right information at the right time -

- the only realistic solution is electronic - sms/info feeds- information helps producers to plan crops (cycle crops)

Plausible Solutions• Dupont’s Planting rate estimator helps farmers to calculate the requirement of seed in the area

• ITC in its e-chaupal, a web based system, started disseminating information to the farmers

• IFA-krishinepal – educational material for farmers

• There are some applications being developed for research purposes ( winrock/Practical Action)

Mobile Applications• Use of Smartphone – instrumental in using apps•Since most of the apps have similar usage procedure- people introduced to the app usage can understand other apps quickly.

•Great future - Internet penetration is nearly 30% and growing ( mostly mobile internet)

•Lots of apps for Agriculture, Farming Calculators, Articles, Organic Farming are already there in android and IOS Platform internationally•Endorsement for the contents- required to be effective

•

Benefits of Mobile Applications• Information sharing• News/articles• Weather forecast• Technology • Monitor sales• Price information of inputs and outputs• Agriculture shows and trade fairs

Mobile Application - Limitations• Mobile applications can assist as a first aid tool but not as an all in one solution• Solutions must be tailor made whereas applications can give generalized info due to diverse topography and multiple farming practices• Limited to Guideline only• Smartphone penetration is still poor specially in farming sector though 90% of the farmers have the mobile access now• Education level plays a significant role hence, nepali script would be very useful• Should be able to provide real-time information and updates

Role of Mobile Applications Mobile application in Agriculture can have a significant role

Feed and forage calculator in dairy cattle based on milk yield and fat % ( Precision Feeding- not only improves milk yield but also improves health)Fertilisers/pesticide application rate and process improves yield with the same inputIn goat farming: Daily weight gain calculator helps to know the variation between actual and standard – can change the Package of Practices to attain the same

Soybean ( Bhatmas) travels all the way from USA to NepalPeas ( Kerau) travels all the way from Canada to Nepal

Potato travels all the way from Bhutan to Nepal Fish travels all the way from Andhra Pradesh, India to Nepal

Most of the commodities travel thousands of Kilometers to reach our kitchen

Lets make them travel less- grow them hereLets educate farmers and provide them market access

A one-stop solution to Prosperity of Nepal!!!