In Nepal’s Madesh Province, 30-year-old Bigan walks through his fields in Charmohana village. For years, he has battled unpredictable weather, pests, and the challenges that come with traditional farming methods. But now, a mobile app is changing everything.
Bigan farms almost 17,000 square meters, growing rice, wheat, maize, and vegetables such as okra. He also runs a buffalo farm, selling 10 litres of milk each day.
Despite his dedication, he often struggles. “I used to visit governmental and agricultural offices for help, but many times I returned without meeting anyone,” he says. “It was frustrating and felt hopeless.”
A digital revolution in the fields
The turning point came when Bigan discovered GeoKrishi, a mobile app that connects farmers directly with agricultural experts.
Promoted by Islamic Relief and our Nepalese partner, the Jan Jagaran Youth Club (JJYC), this community-focused initiative aims to support farmers in adapting to climate challenges and improving agricultural productivity.
With GeoKrishi, farmers like Bigan now have access to timely advice and resources, making the app a lifeline that strengthens their resilience and enhances their livelihoods in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
“At first, I wasn’t sure how an app could help,” Bigan admits. “But with guidance, I downloaded it, and it changed everything.”
Bigan checking the GeoKrishi app which provides live weather updates and allows him to plan ahead
Battling the impacts of climate change
Climate change has hit Nepal’s farmers hard. Unpredictable weather patterns mean traditional farming methods no longer guarantee a good harvest. Crops are at risk from sudden floods or prolonged droughts, and new pests are appearing.
Before using GeoKrishi, Bigan relied on guesswork to deal with these challenges. Identifying pests or diseases often meant either overusing or underusing pesticides, harming both his crops and the environment.
“The app transformed my approach,” he says. “Now, I get real-time weather updates, so I can plan my farming activities better. When my paddy showed signs of disease, I uploaded a photo, and within minutes, I had a diagnosis and treatment plan.”
By following the app’s advice, Bigan managed to address blast disease in rice and foot-and-mouth disease in his buffaloes.
Empowering a community
Bigan shared his newfound knowledge with other farmers, and the financial impact has been significant.
Last year, Bigan earned approximately NPR 600,000 (3,441 GBP) from crop farming and NPR 250,000 (1,434 GBP) from his buffalo farm. “The best part is my treatment costs for crops and livestock have decreased by about 40%,” he notes.
Bigan tends to his buffalos
Bridging the gap between traditional farming and modern techniques
Bigan is now more optimistic about the future. He has adopted sustainable farming practices, learned about climate-smart agriculture, and reduced his environmental footprint. “The support from Islamic Relief and JJYC has been invaluable,” Bigan says. “They didn’t just give us tools, they taught us how to use them.”
“Access to technology shouldn’t be a luxury,” says Pragya Adhikari, Islamic Relief Philippines Meal Specialist. “We’re working to ensure that even in remote areas, farmers have the tools they need.”
His story highlights how technology combined with community support can help vulnerable populations adapt to climate change.
As world leaders gather at COP29 to discuss climate action, stories like Bigan’s highlight the importance of innovative solutions in the fight against climate challenges.
Join Islamic Relief in tackling the effects of climate change and empowering farmers like Bigan. Donate today.
