Thalavady Farmers Foundation recently had the opportunity to exhibit the revolutionary Cropfit mobile application at Agri Intex 2023, held at the prestigious CODISSIA trade exhibition center in Coimbatore. As a young foundation, we were ambitious to connect small and marginal farmers to a wider market through our ground-breaking app, which had been launched just a month and a half prior to the event. However, our dreams were marred by a severe internet crisis that impacted the success of Agri Intex and thwarted our efforts to empower farmers through Cropfit mobile App.
The Anticipation and the Setback:
With over 1,50,000 visitors expected at Agri Intex, we saw this as the perfect opportunity to introduce Cropfit to farmers and traders who could greatly benefit from its services. Excited and prepared, we were allotted Stall No. 149 in G Hall. To assist us in this endeavor, we were fortunate to have student volunteers from the social work departments of Hindustan College, Coimbatore, and Syed Ammal Engineering College, Ramanathapuram. With their support, we looked forward to providing farmers with live demonstrations of the Cropfit mobile app and facilitating its downloads.
The Unforeseen Internet Crisis:
However, what we encountered was a rude shock. The internet facility at Agri Intex was virtually down, and major telecom networks like Jio and Airtel were also failing to provide stable connectivity. As attendees started to gather at the event, we struggled to help farmers and traders download our app and experience its potential firsthand. Despite our efforts to display QR codes for easy access, the lack of reliable internet made the process cumbersome, leaving many farmers waiting in frustration.
The Plea to CODISSIA and the Disheartening Response:
Prior to the event, we had informed CODISSIA about our intention to showcase Cropfit and the need for reliable internet connectivity. Regrettably, we were not advised about the possible internet issues, leaving us unprepared for the crisis that unfolded. Had we been properly informed, we would have arranged separate internet routers through private service providers. To address our concerns, we even wrote an email to the Chairman of CODISSIA, seeking assistance, but received no response.
The Devastating Impact on Cropfit's Vision:
The primary purpose of our presence at Agri Intex was to bridge the gap between farmers and markets through Cropfit, enabling easy access to resources and buyers. However, due to the non-availability of internet service during crucial hours, we could not extend the much-needed help to the farmers. As a result, the potential user base for Cropfit remained untapped, leading to lost opportunities and thwarting our mission to empower farmers digitally.
Challenges for Digital India
: 
This unfortunate incident also sheds light on the broader challenges faced by Digital India initiatives. Seamless internet connectivity is the backbone of any digital platform, and without it, the vision of a digitally empowered nation becomes unattainable. The lack of reliable internet at a prominent trade exhibition center, supported by esteemed institutions and companies, including the state and central governments, raises questions about the preparedness and accountability of the stakeholders involved.
Disappointment and Frustration.
Our experience at Agri Intex 2023 was one of disappointment and frustration, as the non-availability of internet service hindered our efforts to introduce Cropfit to farmers and traders. We sincerely hope that such incidents serve as a wake-up call for event organizers, telecommunication companies, and other stakeholders to prioritize seamless internet connectivity at all digital-centric events.
While the setback at Agri Intex was disheartening, we remain committed to the vision of Cropfit - to revolutionize the lives of small and marginal farmers. We will continue to strive towards empowering farmers through our mobile application, and we hope that future opportunities will allow us to fulfill our mission with the support of a robust and reliable internet infrastructure.
Kannaiyan Subramaniam
Lakshmi Udayal
Co founders,
Thalavady Farmers Foundation.
+91 9444989543
+918940156255
