NAAMP, Connect Kisan sign MoU to provide AI advisory services to Nepali farmers

KATHMANDU: National Agricultural Modernization Program (NAAMP) and Connect Kisan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide Nepali farmers with digital agricultural advisory services using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The MoU was signed on Monday by Connect Kisan Director Rajan Dahal and NAAMP Programme Director Hikmat Kumar Shrestha.

Under the partnership, Connect Kisan’s voice‑based and text‑based AI advisory system will offer real‑time assistance to farmers directly from their fields. Farmers will be able to receive immediate solutions and recommendations related to fertilisers, market access, crop diseases and pest management, NAAMP said in a press release.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Connect Kisan Director Rajan Dahal said tech‑savvy farmers in India are already increasing productivity through the use of AI, and similar technologies could bring significant benefits to Nepali farmers. He explained that farmers can share information on policy challenges, market issues or crop diseases requiring research through the AI platform, and that the collected data will be utilised by NAAMP to take necessary actions.

“Our AI system is capable of providing personalised agricultural advice to farmers based on their specific needs,” Dahal said.

Programme Director Hikmat Kumar Shrestha said the agreement was signed to connect farmers to digital platforms and support them in solving problems in the field efficiently. “Farmers will be able to receive immediate solutions to issues arising in their fields. For major or complex problems, technical and research teams will also be mobilised for further support,” he said.

Shrestha added that the partnership aims to provide long‑term solutions to farmers’ challenges. Issues such as limited market access, fertiliser shortages and disease management will be converted into data through the AI system, which will later be used to design evidence‑based solutions and future plans.

Connect Kisan’s AI‑powered platform offers services including crop‑specific advisory, disease and pest management, fertiliser and seed recommendations, and market information. The system is expected to help farmers make informed decisions at the farm level and contribute to increased agricultural productivity.

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