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Digital agriculture represents a significant shift in farming, integrating advanced technology to enhance efficiency and sustainability. This approach relies on tools that collect data, enabling farmers to make informed decisions.

Precision Farming: A key component of digital agriculture is precision farming, which utilizes sensors, drones, satellites, and internet-connected devices to gather detailed information about soil and crops. For instance, soil sensors can monitor moisture levels, while drones can capture images and videos of fields to identify areas needing additional water or nutrients, or spots where crops are affected by diseases or pests. This targeted approach allows farmers to apply water, fertilizer, or pesticides precisely where they are needed, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact by avoiding excessive use of chemicals.

Variable rate technologies: Another crucial aspect of digital agriculture is the use of variable rate technologies. These allow farmers to adjust the amount of inputs like fertilizers, seeds, or pesticides applied to different parts of a field based on specific needs. For example, if a soil test indicates that one area requires more nutrients, a machine can automatically adjust the fertilizer application for that section. This ensures that each plant receives the optimal amount of nutrients, leading to healthier crops and higher yields while being environmentally friendly.

Smart farming systems: Farmers also benefit from smart devices such as sensors, drones, and satellites that connect to portable devices like laptops and smartphones via the internet. These systems can alert farmers to issues requiring attention, such as low soil moisture or early signs of pests. For example, a farmer might receive a notification that a particular part of the field is too dry and needs irrigation or that a disease is beginning to spread, allowing for early intervention to prevent more extensive damage.

Data analysis and decision support: Digital agriculture heavily depends on analyzing large volumes of data to guide better decision-making. By utilizing historical data alongside real-time information, farmers can predict weather patterns, optimize planting and harvesting schedules, and manage resources more effectively. This data-driven approach can lead to higher crop yields and reduced waste.

Environmental benefits: The adoption of digital tools also offers significant environmental benefits. By applying chemicals and water more precisely, farmers can reduce pollution and protect soil and water quality. For instance, precise fertilizer application minimizes runoff into nearby water sources, helping to keep water clean for drinking and wildlife.

Challenges and adoption: Despite these advantages, the effectiveness of digital agriculture is often limited to larger commercial farms. Smaller, fragmented lands may not be able to fully utilize these technologies, and the cost can be prohibitive for many farmers. Additionally, some regions lack the strong internet connectivity needed for these smart devices to function optimally. To overcome these barriers, governments and companies must collaborate to ensure that all farmers have access to these technologies and the necessary education to use them effectively.

Future outlook: As technology continues to advance and become more affordable, digital agriculture is expected to become increasingly common. Innovations like blockchain and advanced artificial intelligence will further transform farming practices, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

In conclusion, digital agriculture is revolutionizing the way food is grown, making farming smarter and more sustainable. By harnessing tools like sensors, drones, and data analysis, farmers can produce more food with fewer resources and less environmental impact. As these technologies become more widely accessible, they hold the potential to revolutionize farming and secure a sustainable future for agriculture.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said good governance can be made meaningful only by delivering services through the 'paperless and faceless' system in the coming age.

Addressing the scientists' conference entitled 'AI for Prosperous Nepal, Employment for the Future', today he stressed on the need of giving priority to the use of technology for providing public services.

"The government will take the necessary initiatives that it needs to take from its side for the development of computer technology, robotic technology, data science, machine learning, internet of things and computational infrastructures," the PM said, adding that the government would move ahead coordinating the policy related to AI with the National Science and Technology and Innovation Policy, 2076 BS and the Digital Nepal Framework, 2019.

Stating that the government has pursued various studies and research works in the emerging technology sector, he said that the budget has been allocated for setting up the Science Technology Innovation Fund, attaching importance to the science and technology sector.

On the occasion, PM Dahal directed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for creating the opportunities of self-reliance in the technology sector. According to him, special importance would be given to science technology research and innovation in the policy and programmes, and the budget for the upcoming financial year. "This sector has been included with due importance in the proposed 16th Periodic Plan as well, " he added.

The Prime Minister expressed the belief that the government bodies will emphasise on developing projects increasing the role of AI from the next year alone for enhancing innovation and productivity, the PM's Private Secretariat stated.

He also made it clear that 'ChatBot' services and projects related to metadata analysis based on AI would be implemented with priority for the information of services provided by the government agencies.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence that the conference with the theme of 'AI for prosperous Nepal – employment for the future', jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and various stakeholders, will support in materializing the dream of building a prosperous Nepal.

It is time saving and multiple useful for innovation and productivity growth while carrying out the regular works done by people or the works taking long time and those works people cannot do through the use of AI, the Prime Minister asserted.