'Fosholi' to significantly increase agri output

ACI Agribusiness, Bangladesh's largest integrator of agricultural inputs is participating in the ongoing 15th BASIS SOFTEXPO 2019, the largest private sector exposition aimed at showcasing IT and ITES products and services in Bangladesh.

ACI Agribusiness is showcasing agricultural advisory app 'Fosholi' for field crops, said a statement.

'Fosholi' has been providing services like weather forecast, pest & diseases alert on rice, week by week full package of practice of cultivation etc.

Fosholi was released in Google Playstore at the beginning of Aman rice season last year. Currently, over 0.1 million members of over 4,200 Farmers Clubs are rearing their boro rice in anticipation of a good harvest following Fosholi's advice.

Winter vegetables growers utilized Fosholi to significantly increase their productivity.

Department of Agricultural Extension of Ministry of Agriculture, Netherlands Space Office and SNV, a Dutch development organization are partners in development of Fosholi.

Analysis of images from two satellites Sentinel 1 & Sentinel 2 of European Space Agency, daily data from Bangladesh Meteorological Department and a proprietary pest & disease forecast model work at the background of Fosholi to predict the threats to rice crop. The resulting advice and to-dos are delivered in an easy User Interface, designed to be understandable by a grade-five educated farmer.

In a panel discussion titled "Smart Solutions, Smart Agriculture" held alongside the expo, Shamim Murad, General Manager, Digital Strategy, ACI Agribusiness, ACI Ltd said, '' Fosholi aims to deliver relevant and actionable advisory to members of farming community of Bangladesh. Farmers, government officials, retailers & dealers are highly in need of information and timely support to make the right decision at the right time. With Fosholi, we are trying to cater to their need.''

The workshop has generated a significant amount of knowledge sharing opportunity amongst policy makers, high officials from the concerned ministries/ departments, leading local and international experts, representatives from private sectors, academia and development partners and contribute in the session. The panel also focused on the scopes and possible solutions available in the agricultural sector including livestock and fisheries, strategies and steps need to be initiated.

BASIS organized this workshop to motivate agriculture as the core of Bangladesh economy and increased use of ICT in the agriculture sector.