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Four Apps That Could Change Smallholder Farming, Forever.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation has launched (FAO) a new project called Agricultural Services and Digital Inclusion in Rwanda. The project starts with the greenlight of four mobile farming Apps. The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources identified how farmers have a lack of access to information in the agricultural and livestock sectors.

The four mobile Apps titled ‘Cure and feed your livestock’, ‘eNtrifood’, ‘Weather and crop calendar’ and ‘AgriMarketplace’ are centered around four themes. Nutrition and agricultural market, Animal health and feed, weather and climate change adaption services.

The implementation of the Apps is estimated to make a huge difference in the agricultural landscape of Rwanda, not just for the economy, but for the smallholder farmers in the country.  Farmers are considered the backbone of Rwanda, so it’s vital for them to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to beat climate change.

According to weather patterns (provided by the Weather and crop calendar App), farmers will now be able to access information on which seeds will grow faster and better. This means that during insufficient rain season, they may be advised to grow beans or potatoes that typically take a shorter time to mature. The App will continue to recommend solutions with the help of the Rwanda Metrology Agency, ensuring all information is updated.

Farmers will be able to get information on how to treat livestock disease, by simply typing in the sickly symptoms experienced by livestock. The application will then give guides on how to treat the animal back to health. However, if symptoms are severe this specific App will link with a registered veterinarian in the farmer's area.

The Apps promise to bridge the information gap, so the farmer is not only able to nurse his animals back to health, plant the perfect seeds for his climate – but also gain value for his money. Over the years, it seems smallholder farmers have been exploited by the middleman due to inadequate information on food prices and market links. This often results in low earnings, as farmers have not been able to break even on profits.

The Agricultural Services and Digital Inclusion project doesn’t only have a fancy name to offer. Should roll out be successful, it will improve farming on a continental scale. 

Author: Lebohang Morake