Farmers often apply fertilisers based on previous experience or general recommendations. But nutrient requirements can vary with crop, soil and field conditions. A new digital tool developed by ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, aims to give farmers crop-specific fertiliser recommendations through a mobile application.
The e-FARM application was launched during Unnat Krishi Mahotsav 2026 in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. ICAR says the app provides smart, crop-specific fertiliser recommendations aimed at improving yield while maintaining soil health. It currently supports soybean, maize, rice, wheat and chickpea at farm level in Madhya Pradesh.
How The e-FARM App Works
The basic idea is to move fertiliser advice from a general recommendation towards field-level guidance. Farmers can use digital information to understand the nutrient requirements of selected crops instead of applying the same fertiliser programme across different fields.
Crop-specific recommendations can help farmers understand which nutrients are required and when they should be applied. The exact recommendation still depends on local soil conditions and the information available through the system, so farmers should use the app alongside soil testing and local agricultural advice.
ICAR has been promoting digital tools as part of a wider shift towards technology-based agriculture. The government says modern technologies including artificial intelligence, sensors, remote sensing, drones and digital platforms are being used to improve resource-use efficiency and reduce cultivation costs.
The e-FARM app is currently focused on major crops grown in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers growing soybean, maize, rice, wheat or chickpea can potentially use the tool as part of their nutrient-management planning, while farmers growing other crops should continue following crop-specific recommendations from agricultural experts.
Why Fertiliser Management Matters
Applying too little fertiliser can restrict crop growth, while applying more than the crop requires can increase production costs and contribute to nutrient losses. Balanced nutrient management therefore matters both for farm economics and long-term soil health.
ICAR has repeatedly promoted soil-test-based fertiliser application and balanced nutrient management. Soil testing can show the availability of major nutrients and help farmers avoid applying fertilisers without understanding what their fields actually require.
Digital recommendations can make this information easier to use at farm level. Instead of keeping technical recommendations in printed documents, farmers can access information through a mobile device. This can be particularly useful when farmers need quick guidance before applying fertiliser.
The technology can also support more precise farming. Precision agriculture uses information about fields, crops and resources to make farm decisions more targeted. Fertiliser recommendations are one area where digital tools can help farmers move towards more measured input use.
Can It Reduce Fertiliser Costs?
A digital recommendation does not automatically mean that a farmer will use less fertiliser. The benefit depends on whether the recommendation matches the actual soil and crop requirement and whether the farmer follows the suggested application schedule.
When farmers avoid unnecessary applications, they can potentially reduce input expenditure. But the financial benefit will vary between farms because fertiliser prices, soil nutrient levels, crop yields and existing management practices are different.
Farmers should therefore compare fertiliser use before and after adopting the recommendation. Keeping records of fertiliser quantities, expenditure, crop growth and final yield can help determine whether the technology is providing a measurable benefit on the farm.
The government is also promoting digital agriculture through the Digital Agriculture Mission. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, artificial intelligence and other digital technologies are being used for farmer advisories, pest management, crop identification, insurance and delivery of government services.
Soil Testing Still Matters
Farmers should not treat a mobile application as a replacement for soil testing. Soil conditions can differ significantly between fields, even when the same crop is grown. A recommendation becomes more useful when it is supported by reliable information about the field.
The government’s Soil Health and Fertility programme promotes integrated nutrient management and judicious fertiliser use. Soil Health Cards are also used to provide farmers with information about soil nutrient status and fertiliser recommendations.
Farmers should also consider the crop variety, irrigation availability, previous crop and expected yield when planning fertiliser application. Nutrient requirements can change according to crop stage and production conditions, so a single application may not always be appropriate.
Where farmers are unsure about interpreting a recommendation, they can approach their nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture department. Technical advice can help them understand how digital recommendations should be combined with soil testing and local crop practices.
What Farmers Need Before Using It
Farmers need a smartphone and access to the application to use a digital recommendation system. They also need to enter or provide the required farm and crop information accurately. Incorrect information can affect the usefulness of any digital recommendation.
The app’s current coverage is also important. Since e-FARM supports five major crops at farm level in Madhya Pradesh, farmers outside the covered area should check whether the service is available for their location before depending on it.
Farmers should also continue using reliable agricultural sources. KVKs, state agriculture departments, ICAR institutes and agricultural universities can provide recommendations when a digital tool does not cover a particular crop, region or farming situation.
Can Digital Fertiliser Advice Help Climate-Smart Farming?
Better fertiliser management can also support climate-resilient farming because unnecessary input use can increase farm costs and resource losses. Climate change is already creating pressure on water, soil and farm inputs, making careful resource management more important.
Digital tools can become more useful when combined with other technologies. Soil sensors, weather information, satellite data and irrigation systems can provide farmers with additional information for deciding when and how much water or fertiliser to apply.
ICAR has been expanding technology-based agriculture through precision farming, sensors, drones, remote sensing and digital platforms. The wider goal is to make farm decisions more targeted while improving productivity and resource use.
For farmers, the practical starting point is simple: test the soil, identify the crop, check whether the digital service covers the farm and compare the recommendation with local agricultural advice. Farmers should also maintain records so they can measure changes in fertiliser cost and crop performance.
The e-FARM app shows how digital agriculture can move beyond information sharing towards farm-specific decision support. It will not replace farmers’ experience or agricultural experts, but it can give farmers another tool for making fertiliser decisions.
As fertiliser costs and soil health become increasingly important, crop-specific digital recommendations could help farmers make more informed choices. The value will depend on accurate farm information, local applicability and whether farmers use the recommendations as part of a wider soil and nutrient-management plan.
Also Read: Punarnava Jal – The world’s first organic fertilizer! Know how it is beneficial for farmers?
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