Oct 7, 2020
Assam Government wants to promote the buyer-seller network in its state and hence has launched a mobile application, called Kisan Rath – which will connect more than 10,000 farmers, 50 farmer-producer organizations and 1,000 verified agricultural traders on its interface.
The app is available in three languages – Assamese, Hindi and English.
Originally launched by the Government of India, the app has been modified by National Informatics Centre (NIC) Assam to suit the requirements of the state. The app also enables farmers to take advantage of all relevant schemes and opens up the national market outside the state for surplus products. The app will be implemented by the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (APART) project which will train farmers and other stakeholders on using the app.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal believes that the app will a new vehicle for boosting the state’s agri-business by opening up markets across the country for the farmers of Assam to get the most benefit for their produce, and would help farmers emerge strong in today’s competitive market and be a boon to growers of perishable fruits and vegetable as it would lead to radical reduction in wastage.
During the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown farmers have had to face severe hardship and incurred huge losses. However, during first 70 days of the lockdown, farmers of Assam sold vegetables within Assam and outside worth Rs 357 crore and more than 5000 farmers directly engaged themselves as vendors which helped to emerge new farmers’ markets in the state.