A woman farmer empowered by digital technology

Reeta Pal shows the difference in rice yields between farmer’s fertilizer practices and field-specific fertilizer recommendations generated by a digital tool. (Photo: ISARC)

Digital tools have the potential to revolutionize modern agriculture through precise nutrient management practices that improve fertilizer-use efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of farming without compromising yield.  Reeta Pal, a woman farmer from Uttar Pradesh, is a perfect example of how digital tools can significantly impact livelihood. The additional income from using field-specific recommendations helped improve her family’s livelihood standards and offered opportunities to purchase quality inputs for farm operations..

Digital tools have the potential to revolutionize modern agriculture through precise nutrient management practices that improve fertilizer-use efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of farming without compromising yield.

On the other hand, the lack of awareness of these digital tools can lead to inefficient use of resources, lower crop yields, and environmental pollution. It is crucial to understand the factors that drive farmers’ mindset in adopting sustainable agriculture practices to expand the use of digital tools.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) is developing various digital tools for small and marginal farmers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The Rice-Wheat Crop Manager (RWCM) is a digital web-based decision support tool developed by IRRI to provide field-specific recommendations based on the 4R nutrient management principle (the right source, time, amount, and place) through printed and text message recommendations.