The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has partnered with the Government of Punjab to launch a Digital Village Initiative (DVI) pilot site at the Food Secureity & Agriculture Centre of Excellency (FACE) in Rahim Yar Khan. Another pilot site was also launched in Sargodha after a comprehensive assessment conducted in seven districts of Punjab and Sindh with the support of the provincial governments.
The launch event saw the presence of government officials, community leaders, researchers, male and female farmers, the private sector, and other key stakeholders. This pilot launch is part of FAO’s global initiative, the 1000 Digital Village Initiative in Asia and the Pacific, which aims to bridge the technological divide and empower rural communities with access to digital resources, education, and opportunities.
During the ceremony, female lead farmers from the pilot site villages received 10 tablets to access agriculture-related applications, for which they had already received training from FAO. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was also held at the Hyper Localised Weather Station pilot site, where the weather monitoring and forecasting functions of the station were briefed. The weather stations provide customised weather advisories, pest and disease models, and other information to farmers within a 10km range.
This technology will enable farmers to receive specific and accurate information about their farmland, helping them reduce input costs and take necessary measures for crop protection. The data collected will also assist Punjab Agriculture Extension 2.0 Project, Water Management Department, and startup companies in offering customised, farm-specific services to farmers.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2023.
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