Deliverables

Toolbook for SuperKrishak App Development

This toolbook includes our preliminary agricultural app research, individual interview and focus group findings, and an advisory component that provides recommendations to Gham for new and existing app features.

Analysis and Social Impact Assessment of Survey Results

We use graphics, which can be presented to stakeholders to quantify and clarify the results of our digital survey according to user statistics, user feedback, and user ratings. Key problems faced by SuperKrishak users are also analyzed.

Future Scaling Checklist and Documentation of Research Methodology

Ranked from highest to lowest priority, our checklist provides Gham with advice on tangible, long-term steps that the enterprise can take on a macro level. Documentation of our research also enables the Gham Power team to replicate our methods in the future so as to use our findings as a baseline for comparison.

Mission

Empowering vulnerable Nepali communities to thrive through technological agricultural solutions

Challenge

As Gham Power continues to scale their enterprise, they must further develop their digital agriculture app, the SuperKrishak, by transitioning current Facebook group users to the app, building a stronger app user database, and improving the app’s overall efficacy.

Research Activities

Our initial research compared the app design and features of SuperKrishak to similar Indian, Indonesian, and African agricultural apps. Based on this research, we developed recommendations for ways to improve existing app features and for possible new app features to implement. We conducted a series of interviews and focus groups and also designed and administered a digital survey. In total, we conducted two in-person individual interviews, two 12-person focus groups, and received over 330 responses on our digital survey.

Key Findings

1. Lack of reliable cell service and internet connectivity are huge barriers to potential app users. Although the majority of farmers in Nepal have smartphones, many of them have not been able to benefit from agricultural apps like the SuperKrishak because they do not have a stable connection to the internet at home or on their farms. Access to good cell coverage is highly dependent on which phone carrier farmers have.
2. Key features offered by other apps, including satellite imagery, marketplaces, and cropping calendars are well-liked by app users. Other digital agriculture apps, specifically Indian apps like DeHaat Kisan and Krishi Network, have gained larger and more loyal user bases through the implementation of these features. Gham should aim to emulate these apps as they further develop their own existing features and incorporate new ones.

2022

Social Enterprise:
Gham Power

Fellows:

Maggie Walter
Marketing & Art History

Morgan Billington
Environmental Studies & Economics