Scientific Cultivation Practices
Step-by-step guides on crop cultivation, covering aspects from sowing to harvesting.
Information on optimal planting seasons, seed selection, and nursery management.
A Digital Revolution in Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture
For centuries, farmers have continuously sought ways to enhance crop yields and counteract challenges posed by unpredictable weather conditions, pest invasions, disease outbreaks, and lack of updated knowledge on scientific agricultural practices. The northeastern region of India, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, has been significantly affected by an information gap in agriculture. As a result, farming in the region has remained "input-intensive" rather than "knowledge-intensive," rendering it unprofitable and unsustainable.
The repercussions of this challenge are evident as rural youth increasingly lose interest in farming and migrate to urban areas in search of employment opportunities. This migration threatens not only the agricultural economy but also the sustainability of rural communities. Recognizing these issues, a dedicated team from the College of Agriculture – Pasighat comprising Dr. Senpon Ngomle, Dr. Yengkhem Disco Singh, Mr. Nayan Mahato, Dr. William Haokip, and other experts sought innovative methods to bridge this gap.
Given the state’s challenging geographical terrain—characterized by hills, mountains, and valleys—conventional extension services could not effectively reach every farmer. Consequently, the team devised a digital solution to disseminate vital agricultural knowledge efficiently: the ArunKisan mobile application, developed under the project “Livelihood Improvement and Empowerment of Tribal Farmers through Integrated Farming Systems and ICT Application in Arunachal Pradesh” funded by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Govt. of India, New Delhi.
With smartphone penetration growing steadily in rural areas, mobile technology presents a promising avenue to reach the farming community in Arunachal Pradesh. The College of Agriculture, Pasighat, leveraged this opportunity to develop ArunKisan, the first Android-supported mobile application tailored specifically for farmers in the region. This application can be accessed via smartphones and tablets, making crucial agricultural knowledge available at the fingertips of farmers.
ArunKisan serves as an indispensable tool for farmers, providing them with relevant and timely information. With just a click, users can access details on a wide array of agricultural topics including Fruit Crops, Vegetable Crops, Plantation Crops, Floriculture, Field Crops, Pulses, Soil Science, Plant Protection, Value Addition, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and more. By offering comprehensive guidance on modern agricultural practices, the ArunKisan app aims to replace outdated traditional techniques with scientifically backed methodologies, helping farmers optimize resources, enhance productivity, and increase profitability.
Step-by-step guides on crop cultivation, covering aspects from sowing to harvesting.
Information on optimal planting seasons, seed selection, and nursery management.
Scientific information on rearing livestock, poultry and aquaculture.
Advice on disease prevention, feed management and value-added livestock products.
Techniques to enhance the shelf-life and market value of agricultural produce.
Guidelines for agro-processing, packaging and branding.
Direct access to advisory services for real-time support.
Directly talk to scientist for customized agricultural solution through video and voice call.
Unlike traditional methods that require field visits, the mobile application eliminates logistical constraints and reduces the cost of agricultural extension services. Farmers no longer need to wait for field officers or visit agricultural offices for information. Instead, they can access vital knowledge anytime, anywhere
The app facilitates precision farming by equipping farmers with insights into climate patterns, soil health, and pest control measures.
