'Bagwaan mitra' app launched for farmers in UP

LUCKNOW: 'Bagwaan Mitra' (Friend of Farmer), an app designed by the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), a Lucknow based ICAR lab, was launched on Tuesday by agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi.
On the occasion, the minister also inaugurated the mango exhibition organised by the institute.
CISH has developed the app, Bagwaan Mitra, to help farmers and other stakeholders during lockdown due to Covid-19. "It will be of major help to mango growers," said the minister.
UP produces 41% of the country's total mango production.At least 1,05,333 hectare is under mango production in the state.
Due to lockdown, there have been limited field visits by scientists and one to one meetings between farmers and experts from the institute. The app is simple and user friendly with a special feature to convert speech into text.
It will help farmers who cannot type. As soon as they speak the institute would receive the text message through the server.
Many a times farmers are not able to describe the problems or diseases in their crops. The app will allow farmers to send pictures of the diseased plants along with the message, said the director. This will also help scientists in diagnosing and identifying the correct disease.
This mobile app will also offer information on common pests, diseases and disorders along with their control.
Weather forecast based suggestions will be one of the most important features for the users.
Meanwhile, CISH has conserved 770 varieties of mango.
The state produces 384.3 lakh MT of fruits and vegetables every year.