TOMCHI
Mobile application for water management and water-saving irrigation techniques
Description
TOMCHI is a mobile app for the management of water developed by the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. It provides information on water-saving irrigation techniques and provides the user with the approximate cost of introducing water-saving technologies. The app serves as a platform for the communication of providers and users of water-saving technologies, and aims to raise awareness, to encourage user feedback, to reduce information asymmetries about the technologies, and to promote the adoption of technology-driven water-saving practices.
Technology
The TOMCHI mobile application is compatible with Android and iOS devices, and can be downloaded for free from the Apple App and Google Play Stores. The app is compact, broad-ranging, illustrative and user-friendly. TOMCHI can calculate the financial benefits of introducing different water-saving technologies, such as drip, sprinkler or hydrogel irrigation systems, and is linked to the knowledge portal of the Information, Analytical, and Resource Centre of the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan – which hosts a wealth of information on water-saving technologies and other water management resources.
Target
The mobile app is accessible by anyone interested in effective water management, although its main users are farmers, who often face difficulties in accessing reliable water management information. The TOMCHI mobile app provides users with information on the benefits of water-saving technologies, the prices in local markets, manufacturers, local and international trends, company profiles, etc.
Business model
TOMCHI is available to download for free from the Google Play and Apple App Stores. The app provides free access to information on water-saving technologies and their respective benefits, and features a calculator that can provide an estimate of the cost of implementing such technologies. It serves also as a free communication platform for the producers and users of such technologies.
Impact
TOMCHI aims to address the critical global issue of water management. The application brings together a wealth of information on water-saving techniques and serves as a platform for stakeholder discussions. Given the significant role of agriculture in water consumption in Uzbekistan, facilitating access to such knowledge is crucial. The tool's ability to calculate costs related to these techniques can aid in informed decision-making.
Partners
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
