Forum calls for links among agriculture app developers
A farmer tends to his scrops.In Kenya, there has been a proliferation of ICT applications across different platforms — web, mobile, and radio — equipping farmers with access to timely information on prices, markets, and production in a bid to weed out middlemen. Photo/FILE
In Kenya, there has been a proliferation of ICT applications across different platforms — web, mobile, and radio — equipping farmers with access to timely information on prices, markets, and production in a bid to weed out middlemen.
Kenya’s MFarm app, for instance, uses simple data to “m-Power” farmers, according to Ms Susan Oguya, a co-founder.
Technology is increasingly playing a key role in transforming agriculture in East Africa, although industry players are calling for more collaboration if they are to get the most out of the applications.
At a recent ICT for agriculture forum held in Rwanda, the director of the Centre for Technical Cooperation of Agriculture, Mr Michael Hailu, said closer cooperation between farmers, extension workers, and software developers is necessary if production is to be enhanced. Such links would stem duplication of farming apps.
