ICT: A Game Changer in Nepalese Agriculture
The rate of
commercialization in Agriculture in Nepal hasn’t propelled. I think the problem
lies not in our ideas but our techniques, not in lack of market but lack of
market information. Both of these problem that has been atrophying the growth
of Agribusiness in Nepal as a glamorous enterprise, can be head on tackled by
the use of ICT.
First of all the correct
assessment of a farm business plan is a must. Far too often we see youths
plunging into actions without realistic goals, appropriate scale and definite
set of action plan. The use of ICT at this stage can mean all the difference
between an enterprise taking off and falling flat. The information, success
stories, production records and market demands can help the entrepreneur make a
successful assessment of his conditions,
and that will help him set targets that he can achieve, choose the production technique that suits his scale
or the efficient changes that can be
made at his capital. This forms a solid bed to launch a farm business.
ICT in this regard not
only enables him/her to choose a better production strategy but also allows to
troubleshoot any problems that might occur during the production process and
the communication, contacts made with people in similar works within and
outside the country through SNS and internet will really be an important factor
in the sustainability of the enterprise and hunting of new markets.
Once the desired
production is achieved the focus lies on minimizing post-harvest loss and
marketing. The amount of research that is currently being done under
post-harvest loss fascinating. So with ICT they can regularly update their
practice.
In the world of business
nothing is as precious as market information. And for far too long the market
information has stayed with the businessmen and middlemen and the farmers have
remained as price-takers, which probably is the chief reason why the majority
of Nepalese farmers are poor. Now all that changes with the entry of ICT as
farmers can search or even ask by telephone what the market value is and then
decide the wholesale rates. This makes them immune from the middlemen of Nepalese
markets who are notorious for ripping off huge chunks of profit out of Nepalese
farmers. Of course the middlemen aren’t the evil beings that everyone make them
to be, they are equally important forming the vital chain from fields to
markets as farmer cannot effectively perform the dual role of production and
distribution themselves. ICT empowers farmers thereby balancing the
farmer-middlemen relationship. ICT can even enable these middlemen to
effectively decide the fate of products they bought, by navigation of markets
within and abroad through internet so as to fetch the highest price and
advances in storage/transportation practices concern them equally.
Very often the use of ICT
in Nepalese rural context had been passed down as joke as they believed that
ICT is futile to the illiterate majority of rural Nepal but the recent advances
on the mobile devices and the development of apps like Smart Krishi and its
usefulness has proved them otherwise. Beside ICT doesn’t only mean high tech
devices and navigating through English-internet pages, it could be as simple as
a telephone conversation with a fellow farmer, extension worker or a
specialist.
With the demand for foods
ever rising and the farming getting easier, glamorous and profitable each day,
now seems like the perfect time to start an Agro-enterprise with the power of
ICT in the pocket.
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