Kathmandu : The National Agricultural Modernization Program (NAAMP) and Connect Kisan Pvt Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide Nepali farmers with digital agricultural advisory services through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The MoU was signed on Monday by Rajan Dahal, Director of Connect Kisan, and Hikmat Kumar Shrestha, Programme Director of the National Agricultural Modernization Program.
The agreement aims to make it easier for farmers to address agricultural challenges through a digital platform, according to a press release shared by NAAMP.
Under the partnership, Connect Kisan’s voice-based and text-based AI advisory system will offer real-time assistance to farmers directly from their fields.
Farmers will be able to receive immediate solutions and recommendations related to fertilizers, market access, crop diseases, and pest management.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Connect Kisan Director Rajan Dahal said that technology-friendly farmers in India are already increasing productivity through the use of AI, and similar technologies could bring significant benefits to Nepali farmers as well.
He explained that farmers can share information related to policy challenges, market-related issues, or crop diseases requiring research through the AI platform. The collected data will then be utilized by NAAMP to take necessary actions.
“Our AI system is capable of providing personalized agricultural advice to farmers based on their specific needs,” Dahal said.
Programme Director of NAAMP, Hikmat Kumar Shrestha, said the agreement was signed to connect farmers to digital platforms and support them in solving on-field problems efficiently.
“Farmers will be able to receive immediate solutions to issues arising in their fields. For major or complex problems, technical and research teams will also be mobilized for further support,” he said.
Shrestha added that the partnership aims to provide long-term solutions to farmers’ challenges. Issues such as limited market access, fertilizer shortages, and disease management will be converted into data through the AI system, which will later be used to design evidence-based solutions and future plans.
Connect Kisan’s AI-powered platform offers services including crop-specific advisory, disease and pest management, fertilizer and seed recommendations, and market information. The system is expected to help farmers make informed decisions at the farm level and contribute to increased agricultural productivity, it is said.
