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When talking about Ground Apple, everyone visualized of Apple that grows on tree. But Ground apple neither appears as apple in physical appearance nor it grow on tree. Ground apple, a very amazing fruit as well as vegetable and taste just like apple but confused with sweet potato and yam at the first sight is gaining popular. The fruit, also known as Yacon, is believed to have entered Nepal from Japan since a decade ago. It has been just 5 years, farmer have started commercial cultivation of Ground apple in Nepal. It can be cultivated in areas at an altitude of above 1500 meters from the sea level.

Botanically Ground apple is Smallantnun sanchifolius or Polymnia sanchifolia belonging to Asteraceae family is gaining popular due to numerous health benefits. Nutritionally tuber of ground apple is low in calories and contains about 86% water. It contains fructo-oligosachharides that offer about half the sweetness of sugar without increasing blood sugar levels that is why Diabetics patient also get benefit. Yacon is actually potential weight loss agent as a result referred to as “Diet potato”. It is also utilized to boost intestinal motility, decreasing constipation. Even there are lots of health benefits; Ground apple cultivation is still under slow pace.

But nowadays, due to exposure to internet, research activities, health benefits knowledge, farmers are starting commercial cultivation of ground apple. In Bhaktapur too, few of farmers have started commercial cultivation and many of farmers have planted few plants for home consumption. Ground apple actually produces two types of underground tubers, reddish rhizomes directly at the base of the stem, which can be eaten when young but are mainly used for propagation and the larger brown tubers, which are mainly eaten. The propagating tubers are planted during Chaitra-Bhaisakh in Bhaktapur. It requires slight damp sand soil with good drainage facility. Spacing of at least 0.5 metres between the plants is maintained because of large and vigorous nature. Good management along with enough compost manure can make ground apple matured within 6-7 months. After flowering, top growth withers and dies back and the tubers are harvested. In case of Bhaktapur, harvesting time is nearly mangsir – poush (about 8 months of planting). A single plant can yield about 5 to 10 kg depending upon management practice.

Even the cultivation practice is easy and has good health benefits; there is still lack of good market. Consumers are still unknown about the consumption practice. It can be eaten as raw. The outer reddish skin should be peeled out and inner white skin can be eaten raw, can be eaten making salad or making juice by boiling.

Ground apple is gaining popular in Nepalese market. At present situation, the tuber costs about Rs. 200 per kg and sapling cost Rs. 75, as per the market of Bhaktapur.

Ground apple, a very amazing fruit as well as vegetable is gaining popular. Due to high nutritious value, health benefits and easy cultivation practice, the commercial cultivation is being started.

Krishi Tools is collection of online application that can be used in agricultural operation. It is an approach that combines the knowledge of ICT and agriculture to support students, farmers, agriculture professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders related with agriculture.

Agricultural knowledge has been the theoretical rather than practical approach. During the academic programs, agriculture students have to learn about various scientific tools like fertilizer calculation, seed rate calculation, pesticide application and dilution, live weight estimation of farm animals etc. But, those numeric tools hardly get applied practically.

Krishi Tools, a collections of large number of agricultural applications, vision to deliver all the academic resources and practices practically to farmers level and support students using Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Computer software used to be questioned mostly due to its deliverability, but Krishi Tools being online software has great enrichment and simplified interface for usability. Krishi Tools commenced its applications like fertilizer calculator, seed rate calculator, pesticide application and dilution, live weight estimation of farm animals, soil texture finder on the online platform.

Krishi tools is the online platform, accessible for everyone at any time. These applications can be used by the researchers, students, professors and farmers for research activities and commercial cultivation. Reducing the gap between the farmers and agricultural knowledge source can optimize the inputs and maximize the production. It promptly gives the requirement of fertilizer, pesticide, seed rate and so more. It provides the linkage, a way to utilize the practical knowledge learnt in university to the farmer level.

Tree Saplings Calculator

The optimum number of saplings can be calculated by knowing the spacing between the trees and row to row spacing. This calculator calculates the number of saplings required in the given area within a few seconds. Additionally, it also estimates the total price cost of saplings in that area.

Soil Texture Finder (Hand Feeling Method)

Soil scientists, professors and students can detect the soil texture class by Hand feeling method but, making note of various soil samples feeling and searching soil texture class is difficult and time consuming task. “Soil texture finder” will automatically display the soil texture class by the input of feeling. Soil texture class carried out at different location and different time can be stored online which can be obtained and studied at any time.

Live Weight Estimation of Livestock

Large sized farm animals like cattle, buffalo, pig, sheep, goat etc are difficult to be measured by using simple weighing machine. It is also necessary on medication of livestock and ensure growth ratio. “Weight estimation of livestock” helps veterinarians and farmers to know average weight of their livestock online by measuring body length and girth (circumference of body) of animal. The live weigh of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat can be measured using this application.

Pesticide Application and Dilution

“Pesticide is poison, not medicine” Mostly, the pesticide is being used for pest management without any scientific regulation. Low amount of pesticides not only fail to control insect pest but also start the insect’s resistance against pesticide. However, overuse of pesticide in crops can cause various diseases and disorders and even cancer. “Pesticide Application and Dilution” helps agriculturist to decide optimum level of pesticide to use on their crop.

Seed Rate Calculator

Optimum seed rate is required for the maximizing the production level of the crops. Use of too high seed rates is not only economically loss but also suppresses the crop growth and finally yields loss. Low seed rate result lower plant population thereby lowers the yield. So, Optimum rate of seed is required. And hence, calculation of seed rate is the need. Seed rate calculator gives the actual amount of seed required in the given area.

Fertilizer Calculator (Research Type)

Calculating required doses of fertilizers for different crops for particular field at particular time on the basis of doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium is time consuming and tedious. As a solution to this, “Fertilizer Calculator” will determine the requirement of fertilizer amount for various plots. Using this tool, agriculture researchers will save huge time by getting instant result.