The Sunday News
Noble Ncube, Business Reporter
A LOCAL company has developed a mobile software application that will deliver personalised agricultural services and relevant information to farmers who do not have access to or can comprehend information from traditional sources.
The application named iFarm will allow farmers to also have a one stop-market place for agricultural communities, and would link farmers to Government authorities, the banking sector, out-grower schemes, agricultural boards and farmers’ unions, seed houses, agricultural input suppliers, processors, research institutions, insurance companies, non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) and ultimately to the market.
iFarm managing director, Mr Simon Nyabadza, said a test version will be launched in the next three weeks.
“The application is applicable for all farmers nationwide covering all areas of agriculture. We will be launching at the beginning of the agricultural season, but we will have a test version out in three weeks. It is important that we have live testing to ensure the best possible product for our valued farmer base and stakeholders,” he said.
Mr Nyabadza said they have come up with a costing structure that will suit farmers.
“It cost only $1 for registration from anywhere in the country. The application comes in all three major languages, English, IsiNdebele and Shona. Farmers will have access to videos and content on growing practices regards spacing, planting, reaping, pest and disease control. Farmers will also have the ability to contact call centres and get real time help from youngsters from Agriculture institutions like Chibero, Lupane, Gwebi and others,” said Mr. Nyabadza.
In addition, Mr Nyabadza said farmers will also be able to access product information, market information, accurate weather information, financial awareness/products and services, seeds, inputs, suppliers, pests and disease control, agronomy extension services, online research, workshops, farmer forums/blogs, agricultural research, health and nutrition information.
Mr Nyabadza said the application was going to cover all sectors of agriculture including livestock and will be accessible to users when offline.
“iFarm will have offline capability and ability to download updates when in good reception. It will also assist farmers with financial or business tools to increase financial awareness or business acumen. Most importantly it will provide agri tech services like drone services, agri-yield sensors and radio frequency identification device (RFID) tags for livestock.
“iFarm provides information on weather, climate, production, harvesting, marketing and credit. It provides customised information to farmers based on their animal or crop preference and location. Farmers are also able to source all the necessary information related to agriculture, as well as comment and share on other farming tips and advice,” he said.
Drone services are the latest technology in farming revolution. It helps to monitor crops from the sky. Applications include; thermal mapping for irrigation, detailed aerial analysis, yield estimates, pesticide application, plant population, disease control, soil analysis, plant height and security.
Farmers will be able to utilise the RFID tags to monitor livestock movement, national herd count and react to outbreaks swiftly. Such services help farmers to stay connected with aiding agencies on a daily basis, increase their yields, incomes, and reduce hunger, poverty and under-nutrition.
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