Abstract

The agricultural sector has undergone a massive digital transformation in the last decade. New digital tools are
reshaping how farmers grow crops, and consumers buy them. With the use of information and communication
technology (ICT), farmers can monitor their crops, respond quickly to threats such as disease or pests, and
increase yields. In Nepal, farmers use software packages like Smart Krishi, Hamro Krishi, Digitally Enabled
Seed Information System (DESIS) software to gain information about crop production technologies and
marketing. Additionally, farmers have the opportunity to apply for agricultural programs through online portals.
To understand the status of online application platform, use by farmers to demand agricultural programs, a study
was done in Kavre district of Nepal in August 2024. The study revealed that after the implementation of online
application platform by the Agriculture Development Office (ADO), Kavre coverage of the number of remote
farmers increased from 25 percent to 42 percent, and the average number of applications submitted increased
from 70 percent to 82 percent. Accessibility and cost efficiency were found to be the major advantages of online
application platforms, as farmers can submit their application forms from anywhere using ICT devices. Since
online application platform improves application processes' accessibility and efficiency, other ADOs ought to
implement it as well.
Keywords: Agricultural Programs, Communication, Information, Online Application Platform