Farms and Farmers (FnF) in collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) launch the DeHaat App at the event ‘Pratibimb-Prakrishi Samyukt, DeHaat Ekjut’

Bettiah, Bihar, October 1^st, 2016: Honorable Minister Radha Mohan Singh launched the DeHaat App- a technology platform that offers 360-degree value chain services to farmers at Town Hall, Bettiah. The event brought together key stakeholders in the agriculture sector on one platform namely Honorable Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal MP West Champaran, Dr. R.K. Das CGM NABARD, Dr. R.C. Srivastav Vice Chancellor RAU-PUSA and Shri Ganesh Ram Director BAMETI. Representatives of JEEVIKA, CSISA, ICAR, ATMA, and state administration officials-District Agriculture Officer, District Horticulture Officer and Block Agriculture officers were also present at the event.

Farmers in India, and more so in Bihar, face multiple constraints in the agriculture value chain. These include obtaining fertilizers, and pesticides of reliable quality, at the right price and the right time. There is limited access to credit which could help them get relevant and quality inputs such as seed drills and paddy transplanters. If facilitated, these can significantly reduce their operating costs. Post production, a lack of market information and access also restrict their profit potential.

Hence the farmers are unable to make smart choices, which could result in more efficient resource utilization, lower costs, higher yields, better profits and sustainability.

Farms and Farmers (FnF) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are examples of two partners, who are innovating to deliver 360 degree value chain services to farmers in support of profitable, sustainable, and climate resilient agriculture.

“Reduced input costs and improved yields are essential to promote farmer profitability” said Radha Mohan Singh on resource use efficiency as the way forward in the agriculture sector. He also stressed the importance of scientific methods referring to the importance of soil testing; coupled with strong extension services to drive growth in the Indian agriculture sector. The discussion also addressed finding ways in which current existing schemes of the government such as National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and in line with the Second Agriculture Road Map Government of Bihar can be integrated with the DeHaat centres on ground as a way to improve outreach and local access for farmers to these services.

The DeHaat App offers a solution to these key constraints and aligns with the existing vision and programmes of the government. The App has features of farmer profile management, technology and information related to best agricultural practices, M commerce platform for over 400 agri inputs that offers wider choice to farmers, farm equipment at better rates, and farm based advisory on a real time basis. The technological platform coupled with a strong grass root institutional structure of micro-entrepreneurs help farmers through reduction in input purchase cost per unit of yield by 10-15%, yield enhancement upto 20% and better market price discovery at 10-12%.

Five DeHaat centres were launched in West Champaran and nearly 2000 farmers have been enrolled into DeHaat over the last three months. DeHaat augments this tech platform with on ground trainings and in person extension services, timely crop advisory through continuous engagement such as crop reminders in the local languages on the farmer’s phone and a toll free number (1800 270 1420) for immediate support to farmers - The aim is to cover the entire district over the next two years.

“Champaran is where Gandhiji conducted his first Satyagraha in India focused on the rights of indigo farmers in the region. Next year is its hundredth anniversary. It is appropriate that we begin the work here in this district” said Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal MP West Champaran who has laid out a vision for working with all relevant stakeholders to reform the agriculture landscape in Champaran.

It’s an exciting moment and opportunity to carve the path of sustainable and scalable growth -for both DeHaat and the farmers of Bihar.

For more on FnF: http://www.farmsnfarmers.org/

For more on EDF: https://www.edf.org/climate/india-development-while-fighting-climate-change 

For further information on the event please contact: 

Representative from FnF: Urvashi Swami, urvashi@farmsnfarmers.org

Representative from EDF: Rishika Jerath, rishika.jerath@gmail.com