Using Mobile Phones for Farming!
A recent agricultural conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia led by the International Food Policy Research Institute, the African Union Commission, the UN, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa drew many committed policy makers, academics, and farmers/trade groups together to focus on the future of farming and food security. (via Voice of America)
One technology that has been gaining traction has been the linking of farmers to up-to-date market information. It is estimated that 70% of the population makes a living through agriculture and likewise, 70% of the population has mobile phone access/ownership across Africa. Using mobile phones to connect and educate farmers has been around for nearly 10 years but has now reached a level of sustainability and growth that it is being taken seriously by the private sector.
Examples abound:
In Ethiopia, the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX) provides real-time (within 2 minutes) data on sale prices to electronic signboards in local centers, by SMS to mobile phones, on a call-in voicemail system, through newspapers, tv, and radio, and online. The farmers have been making use of this information. More than 1 million calls were made to the automated phone system last year to obtain pricing updates. It is estimated that the share of the export price that now goes back to the farmer has increased by at least 38%. Visit the exchange to see for yourself!
Recently, another mobile-phone market data initiative was announced in Ghana called "Farmer First" that is a partnership between mobile operators MTN and market data provider Esoko. In the pilots for the project, farmers reported a 40% increase in revenue due to better information allowing them to demand better prices, mvoe to a better market, or sell at the high points. Esoko has similar projects in 9 other African countries including Malawi.
M-Farm in Kenya, links farmers into a mobile network that allows them to combine their products and supply larger orders or to buy fertilizers/seeds/feed in bulk by combining their orders and paying jointly.
Cocoalink in Ghana (a partnership between The Hershey Company, Ghana Cocao Board, and World Cocoa Foundation) has added not only market data but also recently announced plans to partner with Malaria no More to use the mobile farmer network to educate people about malaria prevention and to provide donated phones to women in the 15 Cocoalink villages. The program also provides solar chargers for the phones.
What will be next?
IIRR has been working to include technology and other innovations in its work in rural communities. We are focusing our efforts on:
- Food Security & Asset Building
- Education for Marginalized Communities
- Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation
- & Applied Learning to teach and build capacity of other development organizations
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