There is no doubt of the role that technology must play in order for the required Agricultural transformation to occur across the continent. Agriculture can and should become a significant contributor that not only helps drive economic growth, but also helps bring security (food, economic and social). The continent finds itself in a disjointed situation, where on average it is a net food importer (approximately $ 35 Billion annually) and yet it has 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land. The causes of the current situation range from uncoordinated policy alignment, failed implementation of initiatives across the region, lack of resources (e.g. financing, infrastructure, skilled human resources, etc.) and adverse weather patterns due to global warming to name a few.
While the situation may be complex, there is an energy and drive that exists in the people and the current generation of entrepreneurs. Refusing to be left behind, entrepreneurs and companies have created solutions that transform various parts of the agricultural value chains and deliver real value and change. A value chain is a set of linked activities in which each participant works to add value to a product. These chains work best when a better quality product is produced and through the process more income is generated for all participants.
In light of this dynamic landscape, agribusiness recruitment firms have emerged as crucial players in driving agricultural transformation across the continent. These firms specialize in identifying, attracting, and placing skilled human resources within the agricultural sector, addressing a critical bottleneck in the value chain. By sourcing and matching talent effectively, they facilitate the implementation of innovative solutions and best practices, thereby enhancing productivity and efficiency throughout the agricultural ecosystem.
Furthermore, agribusiness recruitment firms contribute to the overall ecosystem of agricultural transformation by facilitating knowledge transfer, fostering collaboration, and nurturing talent pipelines. They not only match candidates with job opportunities but also provide valuable insights and support to both employers and job seekers, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of talent acquisition and management processes. In doing so, these firms empower agribusinesses to overcome workforce challenges and unlock their full potential, thereby catalyzing sustainable development and prosperity across the continent’s agricultural landscape.
INNOVATION AREA: PRODUCTION
IBM EZ-Farm, created byIBM Research this venture is an Internet of Things (IoT) remote monitoring solution that helps small-scalefarmers to better manage water resources. Currently being trialled in Kenya, they are exploring how sophisticated data analytics can help farmers keep in touch with what is really happening on their out-of-town smallholdings. Sensors strategically placed around the farm monitor water tank levels, the amount of moisture in the soil, as well as the performance of irrigation equipment. Infrared cameras measure rates of photosynthesis, which can indicate whether crops are being watered too much or too little. All this data is streamed wirelessly to the IBM Cloud and accessed by the farmer via a smartphone app.
AgroData, an AgriTech firm from Nigeria, which deploys technology to make tropical farming more efficient. Focusing specifically on productivity and efficiency, they provide usable agricultural information from spatial data and agricultural research information. They analyse and extract satellite imagery and creatively merge these with information and processed data from agricultural research institutes.
iCow is an Agricultural Information Service SMS mobile phone application designed to help enhance the productivity of small-scale dairy farmers. Aiming to help rural communities and farmers by giving them knowledge to develop as both farmers and businessmen, each farmer enters personalized details about their cows before receiving text messages and voice prompts with tailored instructions about the breeding and production patterns of their livestock. It helps farmers manage their stock and tackle challenges by tracking the estrus stages of their cows, providing the cost per liter of milk produced by their animals, helping them find the nearest vet and AI providers, and by giving information on breeding, nutrition, milk production efficiency and gestation, fodder production, hygiene and animal diseases. Following the 365-day cow cycle, farmers are assisted year round in making informed decisions and reducing risk.
INNOVATION AREA: PAYMENTS
SmartMoney is one provider that serves rural African communities with a mobile-based savings and payment service that is safer, cheaper and more convenient than conventional mobile money services, banks or cash. All services are accessible via GSM phones.
2KUZE (Swahili means “Let’s grow together”) is a digital platform that enables farmers to buy, sell and receive payments for agricultural goods via their feature phones. Launched at the MasterCard Lab for Financial Inclusion, it brings the benefits and security of mobile commerce and payments to farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. 2KUZE makes transacting much safer and simpler for all stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain. The platform enables farmers to capture a greater percentage of the wholesale value of their goods by providing price transparency, more direct access to buyers and empowerment of farmer-friendly agents.
INNOVATION AREA: PRODUCTION, MARKETING & CONSUMER
FarmDrive connects smallholder farmers to loans and financial management tools using a mobile phone. It offers financial institutions products and services to efficiently increase their agriculture portfolios, mitigate risks, and reduce costs. By giving smallholder farmers the tools to manage their finances better and by validating this information for financial institutions, they help address a common problem – access to finance.
ESOKO is a communication tool for businesses, government, NGOs and others to connect with farmers. There are two service offerings: FASIBA (A mobile money solution that allows smallholder farmers to lay-away and borrow money to purchase the right inputs at the right time.) and INSYT (A service that facilitates data collection, analysis and data visualisation) product offerings include web and mobile apps, original agricultural content, and on-the-ground deployment services. Their products and services are ideal for clients’ marketing, monitoring and advisory needs.
Farmer line deploys mobile (sms and voice messages) and web technologies that brings farming advice, weather forecasts, market information, and financial tips to farmers who are traditionally out-of reach due to barriers in connectivity, literacy, and/or language. The technology not only bridges the barrier of illiteracy, but it also reduces the cost of communication and data collection for small-scale farmers as well as the organizations working with them.
Verdant, offers solutions to support rural farmers for improved food production using mobile phones. The start-up provides agricultural extension, market information, managerial support, and access to financial services to rural farmers with novel, yet simple, mobile technologies. Verdant is able to bring together all the stakeholders (farmer and buyers) and major players (research agencies, donor organisations, governments and financial institutions) in the agricultural value chain under one platform.
M-Farm is a SMS mobile phone application, compatible with even basic mobile phones, which aims to empower African farmers. M-Farm cuts out the middleman by connecting farmers directly with buyers. It provides them with real-time food pricing information, allowing them to sell their produce at much fairer prices. The result is greater visibility for small farmers more visible, it offers a group selling tool where farmers can team up to bring their accumulated produce to drop off points and the SMS system then promotes what they have to sell. And it offers a group buying tool, allowing farmers to pool resources to get better prices for things like fertilizer.
From a small idea and the desire to make a difference, these entrepreneurs are contributing towards ensuring food security, the advancement of agriculture and overall job creation. The examples above are just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as many others exist across the continent. What is certain, is that we will continue to see innovation in this area. There is an Ashanti proverb that says, ‘you must act as if it is impossible to fail’ and that is exactly what these new new agile players are doing.
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