<p>A Bengaluru-based startup has developed an app that keeps farmers up-to-date on demand and supply since lack of such information leads to excess production and price crash.<br /><br />“Frustrated farmers destroy their produce since a price crash means they do not even get the input cost. The root of the problem is lack of information about demand and supply. As smartphones have found their ways to the remotest corners, we thought an app would help farmers,” said Prasanna D, founder of the startup Way2ABI, at his stall in AgriTech India 2017.<br /><br />Though the government has launched several schemes to help farmers, real time information is missing. “The agriculture department’s information stops at details of sowing area. There is no production forecast. We don’t even get last year’s data on production. Farmers need timely information,” he said.<br /><br />The app, ‘Way2ABI Agri FBI’, provides weekly updates on demand trends in Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees as well as information on district-wise supply and demand ratio. Farmers also get graphs, charts, market review and summary about 10 crops, including onion, tomato, coffee, cotton and tur, that see ups and downs on a regular basis.<br /><br />Downloaded by about 3,500 farmers already, the app is getting recognised for its crucial information. “We have to look at the production trend in India as well as import scenario. For example, we came to know about high yield of onion in Maharashtra and advised farmers not to wait for a better price,” he said.<br /><br />Prasanna said the registration was free for now. “We first want to reach as many farmers as possible. Only after convincing them of our app’s use, we will charge about Rs 500 for four months,” he said.</p>
<p>A Bengaluru-based startup has developed an app that keeps farmers up-to-date on demand and supply since lack of such information leads to excess production and price crash.<br /><br />“Frustrated farmers destroy their produce since a price crash means they do not even get the input cost. The root of the problem is lack of information about demand and supply. As smartphones have found their ways to the remotest corners, we thought an app would help farmers,” said Prasanna D, founder of the startup Way2ABI, at his stall in AgriTech India 2017.<br /><br />Though the government has launched several schemes to help farmers, real time information is missing. “The agriculture department’s information stops at details of sowing area. There is no production forecast. We don’t even get last year’s data on production. Farmers need timely information,” he said.<br /><br />The app, ‘Way2ABI Agri FBI’, provides weekly updates on demand trends in Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees as well as information on district-wise supply and demand ratio. Farmers also get graphs, charts, market review and summary about 10 crops, including onion, tomato, coffee, cotton and tur, that see ups and downs on a regular basis.<br /><br />Downloaded by about 3,500 farmers already, the app is getting recognised for its crucial information. “We have to look at the production trend in India as well as import scenario. For example, we came to know about high yield of onion in Maharashtra and advised farmers not to wait for a better price,” he said.<br /><br />Prasanna said the registration was free for now. “We first want to reach as many farmers as possible. Only after convincing them of our app’s use, we will charge about Rs 500 for four months,” he said.</p>
