The Raitha Sahayak app, as it is called, uses a quality assessment report and grading system with no service charge to the user.
The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to generate the report within 30 seconds, the startup said in a statement. The technology was showcased at the Bangalore Tech Summit, The International Millets Mela and Biofach 2023, and was picked up as one of the top five technologies by K-Tech, an arm of the Karnataka state government, the statement added.
“The app will save the farmer and buyer the necessity to depend on any external agency or individual for quality assessment. This will also reduce cost and time while bringing greater transparency in the pricing,” Ecochoice founder Srinivas R said. The startup gets a fee from the buyer for the report certifying the quality of a produce, he added.
The University of Agricultural Sciences vice-chancellor S V Suresha launched the app at an event on Friday, attended by former chief secretary A Ravindra, among others. The startup said there were three levels of grading of the farm produce such as excellent, good and satisfactory based on the quality detected by the app. The grading system will help farmers get a better price for their produce, the statement said.
The idea for the app was conceived after they discovered that there had been no standardisation or grading of the produce at the field level using an onsite quality assessment system, Srinivas said.