Malawi farmers urged to embrace ICT: Beep4Services introduced
Malawi farmers have been urged to take information communication technologies (ICT) seriously for them to grow, Farm Radio CEO, Rex Chapota, declared this during the just ended Agro Info Business Forum held in Lilongwe.
Chapota told delegates that time is here that farmers should take farming as business by taking advantage to the boom of mobile technologies in Malawi and Africa.
The speech follows introduction of Beep4Services where a farmer with just a missed call can receive the best information on any product, practice and innovation taking place in the country.
Recently Farm Radio launched Beep for weather product where farmers can receive all the weather update by beeping.
Chapota said for the first time in Malawi, farmers can access accurate, relevant, and appropriate information concerning their needs by only using the call centre which has been set with support from Techno Brain.
“Just by dialling 7111 on TNM number you shall be assisted by an extension agent, who will be able to supply and provide information,” said Chapota.
Chapota said “One thing is very clear and certain that the agriculture industry in Malawi needs change and that change begins with us the private sector.”
The CEO said time for lamenting and profiling problems to get funding but rather its time to bring solutions.
Chapota said the future of agriculture is bright in Malawi.
“The future and potential of agriculture is enormous, as we all know that there are over 17 Million mouths to feed nationally and now shall be 30Million by 2030 and indeed billion at the global level what a great business opportunity,” said Chapota.
Chapota took a swipe to agricultural extension services in Malawi saying the services are tailored to assist the subsistence farmers than the commercial farmers.
During the forum, stakeholders commended Farm Radio Trust for spearheading the project.
Farmers said the ICT projects, which are being championed, are helping a lot in the flow of information.
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