Digital Dera Explained

Digital Dera
Mission Statement:Only a prosperous farmer can ensure good food for the nation "خوشحال کسان خوش خوراک پاکستان"
Commercial:No
Type:Free internet and open digital services for all farmers
Location:Hayat Farms, Chak No. 26/SP, Pakpattan, Punjab
Country:Pakistan
Key People:Aamer Hayat Bhandara, Fouad Riaz Bajwa
Current Status:Active

Digital Dera "ڈیجییٹل ڈیرہ" is an initiative to digitalize the agriculture sector in remote fertile lands of South Punjab by providing a community internet network to local farmers.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] It was established with the collaboration of Agriculture Republic, Internet Society,[6] Accountability Lab, PTCL, and Hayat Farms in remote agricultural land of Chak No. 26/SP, District Pakpattan.[7] [8] [9] It aims to provide free internet connectivity for better access to digital agricultural resources. The future goal is to introduce agriculture-based smart villages through IoT integration.[10] [11]

Background

A group of progressive agricultural entrepreneurs from South Punjab who previously founded "Agriculture Republic", an Agriculture Think Tank, decided to start Digital Dera with NGOs' help and the support of Director General Agriculture (Punjab Agriculture Department). It is part of the "Digital Agriculture Community Network Project", targeting more than 1500 farmers in the rural belt of South Punjab.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Digital Hujra

"Digital Hujra" is another initiative to serve same purposes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as "Digital Dera" is serving in Punjab province. Digital Hujra center is established in University of Malakand, Chakdara, Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Experts in the center will provide necessary assistance to the surrounding villages such as Ramora, Ali Mast, Gul Muqam, Darbar and Sehsada in Adenzai Tehsil.[17] [18] [19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Hashmi . Alina . 2021-10-05 . Pakistan's first 'Digital Dera' established in Pakpattan . pakistantimestoday.com . 2021-10-13.
  2. News: Luqman . Muhammad . 2021-10-05 . Digital dera in Pakpattan to help farmers with crop data . . 2021-10-13.
  3. News: Saeed . Faisal . 2021-10-06 . Pakistan's first 'Digital Dera' established in Pakpattan to facilitate farmers . pk.mashable.com . 2021-10-13.
  4. News: . 2021-10-05 . Pakistan's first Digital Dera set up in Pakpattan . . 2021-10-12.
  5. News: . 2022-01-30 . Start ups bringing Pakistan's farming into digital age. . 2022-01-31.
  6. News: Haq . Naveed . 2021-11-09 . Community Networks 9 November 2021 Dera Brings the Internet to Farmers in Pakistan, Narrowing the Rural-Urban Divide . . 2021-11-23.
  7. News: . 2021-10-20 . Pakistan Launches Digital Initiative to Empower Farmers . . 2021-11-23.
  8. News: Shabbir . Saima . 2021-10-11 . Agritech entrepreneurs set up 'digital dera' in heart of Pakistan's remote farming belt . . 2021-10-13.
  9. News: . 2021-10-05 . 'Digital Dera' – internet powered village to facilitate farmers . . 2021-10-13.
  10. News: . 2021-10-05. Country's first 'Digital Dera' established in Pakpattan . .
  11. News: Arshad . Muhamad . 2021-10-06 . Pakistan's first "Digital Dera" established in Pakpattan . economy.pk . 2021-10-17.
  12. News: . 2021-10-10 . 15,000 farmers to be provided digital farming practices training . . 2021-10-13.
  13. News: Jamal . Sana . 2021-10-06 . Pakistan launches digital initiative to empower farmers . . 2021-10-12.
  14. News: Mehmood . Asif . 2021-10-16 . 'Digital dera' opened for farmers . . 2021-10-17.
  15. News: Aslam . Usman . 2021-10-13 . Agritech entrepreneurs aim to empower farmers through 'Digital Dera' platform . techjuice.pk . 2021-10-17.
  16. News: . 2021-11-01 . Agritech Entrepreneurs Aim to Empower Farmers through 'Digital Dera' Platform . . 2021-11-23.
  17. News: . 2022-05-31 . Digital Hujra inaugurated in Malakand . Daily Lead Pakistan . 2022-06-27.
  18. News: Fisher . Hannah . 2022-06-07 . Community Networks: Connecting the unconnected . . 2021-10-13.
  19. News: . 2022-06-19 . Digital Hujra . BOL NEWS . 2023-05-07.