Govi Mithuru
The ground-breaking 'Govi Mithuru' (in Sinhala) or 'Ulavar Tholan' (in Tamil) service, launched in 2015, provides customized and timely advice to farmers regarding land preparation, cultivation, crop protection, harvest and improved family nutrition.
The service was developed with the support of the GSMA mAgri Challenge Fund. Content partners include the Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of Sri Lanka, supported by the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI, an inter-governmental organization) providing the main agricultural advice, as well as the Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine of the Government of Sri Lanka, which provides family nutrition advice.
This service is specially designed to help farmers by sending the right Information at the right time for each farmer's needs, correctly tailored for their crop, location and stage of cultivation. Registered users receive information related to each registered crop as a voice message to their mobile phones. Users have unlimited free access to call 616 to listen to all messages received up to that point.
Download the case study on Govi Mithuru.
In Sri Lanka, agriculture has long been a traditional occupation, necessary for survival. Hundreds of hours are invested into growing crops and for many farming families, it is their only source of income. The importance of communication and access to relevant information is key for these farmers as they continue to face ever-changing risks and challenges.
Keen to learn more, Chathura travels across Sri Lanka to meet various farmers who live and work in the Southern Province, who are now embracing a mobile technology initiative by Dialog, called Govi Mithuru.
It's a simple service but its impact is profound. Farmers sign up for 1 rupee a day and are sent daily seasonal advice to their phone via voice messages. As Chathura finds out, it's transforming the lives of many famers; protecting their crops from pests and disease and giving them the knowledge they need to cultivate bigger profits than ever. With these profits, farmers can grow their businesses and provide the best lives for their families as well as safe, healthy produce for their communities.
As a 24/7 service, help is always at hand, giving this proud industry – one built on intuition, experience, and heritage – the foundation to thrive in an increasingly connected world
Additional Details
- Unlimited free calls to 616 to listen to all messages received to date
- Rs. 1/= per day per crop, plus applicable taxes
How to Activate
- Simply Dial 616 and follow the instructions to provide language, crop, location and other information
 |
Paddy Paddy is cultivated in all districts in Sri Lanka, and is the single biggest agricultural activity. Subscribers for Paddy content make up the largest group of Govi Mithuru users. Govi Mithuru provides tailored, timely information to registered farmers based on location, crop duration, water source and planting date.
|
 |
Maize Govi Mithuru subscribers will receive instructions on maize cultivation to their mobile phones. These instructions are tailored according to the cultivating district, variety, zone and the cultivation purpose of the farmer.
|
 |
Potato Potato is cultivated mainly in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya. The Govi Mithuru service will send voice messages to subscribers according to the cultivating zone.
|
 |
Papaya One of the most popular fruits in Sri Lanka and mostly cultivated as a home garden crop. Govi Mithuru subscribers will receive instructions on how to cultivate papaya easily.
|
 |
Big Onion Big Onion is an important vegetable in Sri Lankan cuisine and mainly cultivated in Matale and Anuradhapura. The Govi Mithuru service will send tailored instructions to subscribers by considering the seed type.
|
 |
Brinjal Brinjal is cultivated widely in tropical areas. Similar to other crops under the Govi Mithuru service, subscribers will receive instructions on how to cultivate Brinjal successfully.
|
 |
Tomato Tomatoes can be grown in pots or commercial fields. The Govi Mithuru service will send timely voice messages to subscribers to have a better harvest.
|
 |
Carrot Carrot is cultivated mainly in central hills of Sri Lanka. Other than in central hills, carrot is cultivated in Kalpitiya and Jaffna. Govi Mithuru subscribers will receive right instructions to cultivate carrot successfully.
|
 |
Home Gardening The Govi Mithuru service's popular home gardening channel advises subscribers on how to set up and maintain a home garden in limited space with minimum expense and without using chemicals. Register with "Govi Mithuru" service to receive instructions daily.
|
 |
Mango Mango is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular fruits, cultivated for export purposes. This channel provides information about various mangos like TJC, along with technical information and advice on cultivation methods
|
 |
Cowpea Cowpea is cultivated in the dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. Govi Mithuru will provide subscribers with the latest information regarding seed production and cultivation zones
|
 |
Green Gram Green Gram is cultivated in the dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. Govi Mithuru will provide subscribers with the latest information regarding seed production and cultivation zones
|
 |
Mukunuwanna Mukunuwanna is cultivated in all districts of Sri Lanka including Gampaha and Kurunegala. The Govi Mithuru service provides the latest information on how to cultivate Mukunuwanna successfully
|
 |
Peanuts Peanuts are cultivated in dry and intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. Govi Mithuru subscribers will receive instructions on how to cultivate peanuts successfully
|
 |
Soya beans Soya beans are cultivated in dry and intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. Govi Mithuru provides accurate and timely instructions based on cultivation zones
|
 |
Tea Tea is Sri Lanka’s main export crop. Govi Mithuru provides subscribers with timely information based on factors of cloning, plant nurseries and other tips on healthy Tea cultivation
|
 |
Mushroom Mushrooms are protein abundant fungi that require very little space to grow. Govi Mithuru provides the latest in technological knowledge regarding a variety of mushrooms including American Oyster, Makandura White, Straw Mushroom etc.
|
 |
Chilli Chilli is commercially cultivated in dry and intermediate zones as hybrids and densities. Govi Mithuru subscribers will receive information specific to seed production and cultivation zone
|
 |
Cinnamon Cinnamon is cultivated mainly in districts such as Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura. Govi Mithuru provides information regarding true cinnamon production, plant nurseries, organic cinnamon and high value production.
|
 |
Bananas Bananas are one of Sri Lanka’s most famous fruits. Govi Mithuru provides the latest information on a variety of bananas such as Seeni, Kolikuttu, Anamalu and Ash Plantain based on cultivation time and zone
|
 |
Black pepper Black Pepper is commercially cultivated in multiple locations in Sri Lanka. Govi Mithuru provides tailored information with regards to pepper cultivation to cater to national and international markets
|
Additional Details
Need Help?
We are always here to help you. Explore our knowledge base or get in touch with us 24x7.
Go to Help & Support