Training on 'Rice Doctor Usability Testing' organized in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: A training programme on usability of 'Rice Doctor' App was organized by Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), North Lakhimpur and Assam Agricultural University on Wednesday at the training hall of RARS under APART. A total of 31 participants from different stakeholders including farmers, extension functionaries and students attended the training programme.

The programme was aimed to make awareness on the usability of Rice Doctor mobile application by farmers and extension functionaries. The Rice Doctor App is a mobile-based farmer-friendly application developed by Assam Agricultural University with technical support from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) under Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART).

By using the app, both in English and Assamese version, farmers can accurately and timely diagnose problems of pests, diseases and abiotic stress on rice crops. In the inaugural session, Dr Prabal Saikia, the Chief Scientist of RARS, North Lakhimpur encouraged participants to learn on practical utility and applicability of the 'Rice Doctor' app. The technical segment was handled by Dr Gayatri Goswami and Dr Abhilisha Mudoi, Project Scientist, IRRI, APART.

The steps involved in identifying the diseases and pests and their management were thoroughly discussed. The programme was attended by Dr Yater Das and Bithika Phukon, Junior Scientist, RARS, Dr Pinky Pathok, Project Associate, APART and Champak Saikia, Research Technician, APART. The students, farmers and extension functionaries expressed satisfaction in learning about the new app and provided positive feedback for future applicability at field level.

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