Mobile technology set to ease farmers’ information needs

Dar es Salaam. Mobile technology designed to help small and large scale farmers to access accurate information on farm inputs as well as advice from experts has been introduced.

Farmers will now be able to ask questions on quality seeds, fertiliser and farming equipment and get responses directly on their mobile phones at a weekly subscription fee of Sh300.

Agrobot team leader Bless Mgongolwa told The Citizen that recently a majority of farmers lacked access to proper and accurate information. He said the technology will enhance agriculture in the country.

He noted that the Africarice Centre report showed that only 20 per cent extension officers were reaching the farmers’ fields to enable them acquire quality information. The new mobile technology will allow a high number of farmers to access quality information on farm inputs.

“We are currently seeking Sh34 million ($15,000) to reach 2.5 million farmers by 2021 out of the said amount. Denmark has already given us Sh12 million,” he said.

Mr Mgongolwa further explained that the investment funds would enable them to improve data collection, increase operation systems and boost partnerships with other stakeholders.

He noted that most farmers operated in groups and corporations, saying they will now meet face to face to boost their number to more than 2 million across the country.

According to him, they were optimistic they would reach the targeted number of farmers by 2021. “Last year we did a pilot study for Morogoro farmers through the technology we reached 500 farmers in the region.

He said they would use modern technology to reach more farmers countrywide.

Representing the Danish ambassador, Mr Boniface Ihunyo said using modern technology would enable more youth to participate in agriculture.

“Projects like this will be able to catalyse the creation of employment to youth in the country, considering that every year 800 youth enter the job market,” he said