Govt to Utilise 'Krishoker App’ Features to Stop Market Manipulation

The government is going to introduce an existing mobile app to manage locally produced agricultural products as part of an effort to stop syndicate exploitation in the critical commodity market. For this, an app called 'Krishoker App', which has already been used for other purposes with complete success, will be used.

Locally grown foodstuffs such as paddy, rice and onion can be managed through this app. It will also help track supply and demand, along with price management.

In addition, farmers will be able to easily sell their produce to the government and, according to related reports, customers will get money via bank accounts.

The 'Krishoker App' was established under the government's 'Digital Bangladesh' campaign following highlights and guidance of the Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA). The app was developed under the Bangladesh Computer Council, by the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT).

This was developed using the software model of the 'food product management system.'

In the last two years the Food Directorate has used the app to collect rice from farmers. They've used it with 100 percent success so far.

Following the success, during the Boro season, the same app was used for paddy selection. Other agricultural products are also to be procured in phases via it.

In addition, the framework for planting, processing, storing and distributing different items can be supervised via this app. With all such features, the app has been created.

The app has already registered 2,29 lakh farmers and 48 auto rice mills in 24 Upazilas for the sale of paddy and rice under the government's food procurement programs.

Moreover, it has been decided, to use the app for buying rice paddy from farmers in 60 Upazilas of 60 districts this season.

The app will be used mainly to collect paddy from farmers. It will be seen later even in other industries.

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) sources said this initiative will deliver government services to all the citizens of the country at the touch of a finger. Farmers will particularly benefit the most from this app.

Using this, farmers can apply for the sale of paddy to the government from their homes. 

Farmers will also be able to use the app to monitor the status of their applications. They will also be able to verify whether, after a transaction, money has been transferred into their bank account. Farmers will receive messages on their cell phones during each phase of the whole process.

Farmers must however register in order to take advantage of the app. A farmer has to apply to the local agricultural officer for this. Only after the application is approved can registration be completed. They'll also need to open a bank account with the same person's national identification card and register in the farmer 's app.

The app is connected to the national e-service. As a result, at the time of registration, the national identity card of the concerned farmer will be verified automatically or online by the Election Commission.

In other words, registration includes only the national identification card of the farmer, and a smart cell phone collection.

The app will have one of the country's largest database of food products according to the BCC report. It will hold data in every field regarding product quality, weight, stock, volume / quantity, and supply-and-demand.

By pressing a button, the demand, supply and stock situation of a commodity in a region can be easily learnt.

It will also include farmers verification certificates, a computer-based lottery system.

Additionally, the information will also be available if the product is damaged due to natural calamity or some other cause.

Earlier, for information on selling paddy to the government, farmers had to go to the Upazila office. Farmers will now use the software to get the details sitting at home. As a consequence, abuse of the bureaucratic process will be significantly reduced and the manufactured product will get a reasonable price.

Products manufactured nationally can be purchased directly from farmers via the app in the future.

The demand, import, supply, stock and international price status of the imported products will be monitored via the app, depending on the source.

The Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Bank, Department of Agricultural Extension and Department of Agricultural Marketing have been involved in providing information on these issues.