Frequently asked questions

General

Is FARMIS free? Yes — completely free for users in PNG. Your network provider's mobile data charges still apply when using live features.

Is there an iPhone version? Not yet. FARMIS is Android only in this release.

Which languages does it support? English and Tok Pisin today. More PNG languages are planned for future releases.

Do I need internet? For live features (weather, prices, forum, news, ordering inputs) yes. Saved content — crop guides, pest entries, news articles — works offline once it has been opened or bookmarked.

Accounts

Why do you ask for my phone number? We use it as your account identifier and to send the verification SMS. There is no email or password to remember.

The verification code never arrived. What now? Wait about 60 seconds and tap Resend code. Check your signal and that the number was entered correctly (including +675). Try again from a place with better reception.

I forgot my PIN. On the sign-in screen, tap Forgot PIN and follow the steps in Reset your PIN.

I changed phones — will my data follow? Yes. Install FARMIS on the new phone, sign in with your phone number and PIN, and your account, saved crops, and bookmarks load from the server. Offline-only saves on the old phone will re-download as you re-open them.

Crops and advisories

Where do crop recommendations come from? From agricultural research and extension material relevant to PNG. See How crop advisories work.

The stage advice doesn't match what's happening in my garden. Edit the planting date on the saved crop so it reflects when growth actually started. The advisory recalculates.

Can I save the same crop twice? Yes — if you grow it in two plots with different planting dates, save it twice.

Markets

How accurate are the prices? They are indicative — drawn from sample reporting. Always confirm with the buyer before transporting produce.

Why do prices differ so much between markets? Distance, transport cost, supply, and local demand. Comparing markets is one of the best uses of FARMIS for sellers — see Check market prices.

Weather

How accurate is the forecast? Around 85% accuracy for 7-day forecasts in normal conditions. For severe weather decisions (cyclones, flooding) always confirm with official sources.

Forum

Will anyone actually answer my question? Yes — if the question is specific. Good questions cover the crop, the symptom, your location, recent weather, and ideally a photo. See Ask a question in the Agri Forum.

Can I ask questions in Tok Pisin? Yes. Use the language you're most comfortable in — replies often come in the same language.

Inputs

Can I really buy seeds and tools through the app? For suppliers that have enabled it, yes. For others, the app shows the contact details so you can reach the supplier directly.

Help

Where can I get more help?

• In-app: Profile → Help & support.
• This site: the Glossary and the rest of the References.
• Community: the Agri Forum — other farmers and experts are often the fastest source of practical answers.