Mobile Agriculture for Africa's Farmers

Mobile phones are becoming the latest tool for Africa's farmers. Telecommunications firm Orange has launched an information-sharing platform through which farmers in Niger, Mali, Ivory Coast and Madagascar can access market prices, stock levels, weather forecasts and even receive expert advice through their phones.

“Every week we have a call centre with agricultural experts who reply to questions about daily worries,” explains Adamou Brah Adamou, project manager of Orange’s mAgri scheme. The centre is run by agronomists answering questions on matters from pesticides to planting techniques, and operates in French and local languages.

“We have a duty to launch services to aid the development of countries and territories in which we operate,” said Brah. It is also an opportunity for Orange to roll out mobile networks across rural Africa.

For further information, see Addressing Nutrition Can Drive Development