E-Agro
State-run electronic agricultural information system
Description
E-Agro, or the Electronic Agricultural Information System (EAIS), was a state-run government portal in Azerbaijan. The information system was developed as a single database of farmers and the resources they use. A unified geographic information system was incorporated into the app, supporting the collection of data on administrative-territorial boundaries, as well as on areas of crop-specific production, greenhouse areas, enterprises and facilities under the Ministry, and details of lands, land-use changes, salinized areas and new areas assigned for cultivation, among other relevant information. The system could also set up real-time monitoring mechanisms to ensure the proper implementation and development of agricultural processes, including those based on satellite data. Additionally, farmers could apply for subsidies and insurance through the system, and request relevant documents. Limited advisory services could also be provided through the app, addressing topics such as seed varieties and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technology
Farmers and other agricultural stakeholders in Azerbaijan could access EAIS through a browser or mobile application, for which both Android and iOS versions were available. The main page featured cards, each of which was used to access the different modules and functionalities of the application, and the number of cards varied depending on the status of the user (individual or legal entity) and personal information. The “My Farms” module allowed lands to be mapped and linked to the necessary land documents, and information about the crop and animal production, while infrastructure and activities could also be recorded. The “My Plans” module included the sowing data planned by the farmer for the coming years and forecast indicators related to productivity. In the “Services and Complaints” module, farmers could report problems that were then accessed and responded to by the relevant employee in the Ministry. The farmer could access the system from anywhere, regardless of time and place, and could apply for a subsidy with just one click.
Target
EAIS was launched on 14 February 2019, and 167 farmers registered during its first week of operation. As of August, 2022, more than 600 000 farmers were registered on the portal (out of total of 1 million producers in the country), while other users of the system included suppliers of seeds, seedlings, fertilizers and pesticides, artificial insemination specialists and veterinarians, financial organizations, warehouses, etc., who could post information about the products and services they offer. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture used the system for agricultural forecasting, resource planning, import and export planning, control of the distribution of resources, etc. The MoA also used the system to help select beneficiaries for donor projects. Among the other users were researchers and suppliers of, for example, machinery and fertilizers, for which subsidies were made available.
Business model
E-Agro was a free-to-use public service for farmers and other agricultural stakeholders. Ministry of Agriculture offices in administrative regions aided in the rolling out of the app.
Impact
The system is no longer active, but its goal was to support the Ministry in its planning activities, and to facilitate the access of farmers to finances, services, agricultural inputs, service providers and information.
Partners
Agro Researches Center under the Ministry of Agriculture
Four Betters
Better production
Better life
