The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has unveiled a new application named ‘Crops Drought’, designed to assist farmers in navigating the challenges posed by drought conditions. This innovative tool is part of a broader effort to tackle the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, impacting both crop yields and the wider economy.
DAE Director-General Anchalee Suvachittanont highlighted that ‘Crops Drought’ offers users essential information such as real-time soil moisture data, weather forecasts, and early identification of drought-prone areas up to four months ahead. The application demonstrates impressive accuracy in predicting crop damage, ranging from 73.7% for cassava to 92.9% for sugarcane.
The ‘Crops Drought’ app builds upon previous models for assessing drought risk and its impact on agriculture, representing a collaboration between the department and various agencies.
To date, the app has been made available to 450 agriculture volunteers, young farmers, and community leaders across nine provinces, including Uthai Thani, Surin, and Nakhon Ratchasima, among others. The application can be downloaded from the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and its dedicated website. (NNT)
