A simple rural app brings veterinary care to Bangladesh farmers’ doorsteps

In the quiet farming villages of rural Bangladesh, a sick cow can mean far more than an animal in distress, as it can threaten a family’s livelihood. 

But for many farmers, the nearest veterinary hospital is miles away and help often comes too late.

Now, a mobile app developed by a professor at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) is changing that reality. 

Digital Khamari, meaning 'Digital Farmer', is putting vital livestock care advice directly into the hands of those who need it most.

The app’s creator, Professor Dr Md Sahiduzzaman from BAU’s Department of Parasitology, says the idea was born from witnessing the struggles of rural farmers.

“The shortage of veterinarians in rural areas is acute. Farmers often cannot reach remote veterinary hospitals. This app helps by providing the names and addresses of nearby veterinary doctors, giving farmers timely assistance when they need it most," he said. 

From identifying swollen udders in cows to spotting the signs of worm infestations, the app guides farmers through recognising and preventing common livestock diseases, Dr Shahiduzzaman said. 

It even offers advice on tackling lumpy skin disease, a serious condition that has affected cattle in many parts of the country, he said. 

One of its most valued features is a built-in directory of local veterinary doctors, complete with contact numbers. 

Once downloaded from the Google Play Store, 'Digital Khamari' can be used entirely offline, critical in areas where internet coverage is unreliable.

The app also contains disease-specific treatment guidelines, awareness material, and practical farm management tips. All of it is free.

For farmers like Abdul Karim in Mymensingh, that accessibility matters. “Before, I had to rely on what other farmers said, which wasn’t always right. Now, I can check the app and be sure. It has saved me money and my animals," he said. 

Prof Sahiduzzaman is not stopping here. Plans are already underway to add live chat with veterinarians, educational videos, AI-powered disease diagnosis and a built-in farm calendar. 

“We are updating it constantly based on feedback from farmers,” he said.

Funded by the Information and Technology Department of the government, 'Digital Khamari' is more than a piece of software...it is a lifeline. 

With sustained government backing and potential public-private partnerships, tools like this could strengthen food security, create jobs and improve nutrition nationwide, according to experts. 

"After all", Prof Sahiduzzaman said, “A healthy animal is not just the wealth of a household, it is the wealth of the nation.”