Grameen Intel launches phone- based fertiliser advice service

Grameen Intel yesterday launched a mobile phone-based fertiliser recommendation service—krishē—for the farmers of Bangladesh.

The service will help farmers determine the proper amount and dosage of fertiliser for their crops, said Kazi I Huque, chief executive officer of Grameen Intel.

He spoke at the launching ceremony of the service at the company's office in Dhaka.

The farmers can access information by dialing a certain phone number, where a call centre agent will answer questions about the crops. The actual recommendations will be delivered by a logic software based on the guidelines developed by the government's Soil Research Development Institute of Bangladesh.

Initially the service will be available in Charfashion of Bhola, Uzirpur of Barisal, Baliakandi of Rajbari, and Jessore Sadar. The coverage area will be increased gradually.

“Our goal is to expand services to all upazilas within two years,” said Huque, who is also the finance director of Intel Corporation.

Grameen Intel has operations in India, Cambodia, Nepal and Macedonia along with Bangladesh. Sajedul Pavel Hoq, chief operating officer, and Fakhrul Islam, general manager, also spoke.