ICT:THE TRANSFORMATION OF AGRICULTUREPresented at FOFIFA Headquarters | 28 October, 2015 | Ampandrianomby Antananarivo Thato SupangAgriBusiness Forum Botswana

Background

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The agriculture sector in the SADC region is underperforming and unsustainable.

Agricultural industry in the SADC region remains under-utilized and in terms of markets, several impediments have been identified;

- limited access to agricultural inputs,

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- expensive and time consuming logistics to sell produce; failure to secure some markets due to low volume produce,

- lack of knowledge in which commodities to produce.

- Agricultural produce and income continues to decline in the wake of climate change.

- Communication and information sharing is difficult and there is a gap in-between stakeholders

Background

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Agriculture requires a transformation to where every farmer is provided

with access to information, and because of the ever-lower costs and

growing ubiquity of ICT, new avenues have been opened.

Need Statement

Transformed: Information Dissemination and Communication

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What is AMEWI?

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Agricultural Marketing and Early Warning Information

system.• A mobile app • A web portal• SMS Service• USSD service• Call Centre

ValueCall centreFarmer focusYouth Empowerment and

employmentInteractive E-learning Mobile phone access

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Users

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Farmers (Youth, Commercial farmers, Emerging farmers, Smallholder farmers)

Farmer Organizations Commodity OrganizationsInput and machinery SuppliersNGO’s, CBO’s, Researchers, Universities etc

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Government DepartmentsExtension Services and development

agencies.Traders

Users

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Markets

Early Warning

• Production

Impact

AMEWI System

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Touchsoft IT Solutions and East Power Pty Ltd have developed a web and cell phone based application - AMES (Agricultural Marketing and Early Warning System). AMES is downloaded in cell phones and related mobile devices as an app, it can also be accessed as a website. This application is intended to assist farmers and agribusinesses to access early warning information, market updates and trading amongst trading partners. The application is an interactive tool and promotes interaction amongst role players and other stakeholders in agricultural industry. Over and above providing early warning information and market information the application creates a trading platform between farmers and traders as well as product suppliers. The call centre will provide required information and support to end user. Further it will provide a platform for knowledge and data storage for marketing and Agricultural research and development.

Website

Cell phone

(other devices and applications)

AMEWI-Early warning information-Market updates and trading-Production information

Call Centre

Users-

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Services

Early warning information

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Early warning information on adverse climatic condition (drought, floods, frost etc),

Livestock and crop disease and pest outbreak.

Veld fires

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Real time market updates for all Fresh Produce Market, grain and meat market and prices.

Auction (auctions and description of animal traits, equipments and properties)

Transport and freight forwarders (Logistics Companies)

Market information

Trading platform

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AMEWI is a trading platform between farmers and traders as well as suppliers of inputs, machineries and services.

Interactive communication tool

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Users are able to pose questions to other users and System Administer on technical challenges related to agricultural production etc. A discussion forum which is on a Social Media type of setup.

This will promote a dialogue amongst role players in agricultural industry.

Extension directory

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Government and private extension practitioners are listed and users are able to email and call directly.

 Supplier of inputs, machineries and irrigation equipments etc are listed in the directory

Technical information

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Video training clips on technical aspects.

Crop and livestock production management.

Enterprise budget (COMBUD)FisheriesForestryCrop suitabilityIrrigation potentialE-learning

Madagascar Implementation

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Partnership in Research and ICT Digital Agriculture Research Information DisseminationCommunication – Early Warning InformationSmallholder Farmer Inclusion

Conclusion

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AMEWI will be able to survive in the long term due to the fact that it is a need that the farming industry

can no longer do without.

Screenshots

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Screenshots

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Screenshots

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Welcome to AMEWI!1.Markets2.Inputs & Services3.Articles & News

Reply 

MARKETS 1.Beef 2.Grain3.Fresh

Reply

Beef MarketsLocation1. Lobatse2. Francistown3. Gantsi

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Thank YouThato SupangAgriBusiness Forum BotswanaPlot 104, Gaborone International Commerce Park, Gaborone, Botswana.Mobile: (+267) 7158 3564Tel/Fax: (+267) 318 2614Email: thatosupang@agribotswana.comURLS: https://www.amewi.co.bw

www.agribotswana.com