Innovative agriculture entrepreneurs in Pakistan have embraced digital technology and are introducing the country’s farming into the digital age.
The initiative is to help farmers plan their farming well and distribute them when the time is right to prevent post-harvest losses in the country.
According to the entrepreneurs who are start-ups, farming in Pakistan is mostly done in a primitive way by using outmoded machines and tools thus using digital technology are a smart way to improve efficiency and productivity on the farm.
Aamer Hayat Bhandara, a farmer and local councillor behind one such project said, “The most modern machine we had was the tractor.” He however, hopes that all farmers will adopt the digital technology and make the best out of it. He also hopes that farmers will install a modern electronic system that is linked to a water pump to control irrigation.
He also stated the benefits agriculture has for the country. “Now, Pakistan, the world’s fifth-most populous country is attracting attention and agriculture is a sector that is completely untapped from a technological point of view,” he added.
“It is certainly the one where we can have the biggest impact,” he further noted.
This, he says, will reduce water consumption and labour. He added that digitizing agriculture is the only to prosper and make the agriculture sector in Pakistan thrive.
In pursuing the achievement of this agenda, six local farmers have for the first time seen tablets and computers that provide accurate weather forecasts as well as the latest market price and tips.
“I have never seen a tablet before,” said Munir Ahmed, a farmer who grows maize, potatoes and wheat.
In addition, another farmer known as Amjad Nasir mentioned, “Before, we relied on the experience of our ancestors or our own, but it wasn’t very accurate so we hope this project will bring more prosperity.”
Reports have indicated that, foreign investment in Pakistan startups exceeded $310 million last year.
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