Vodafone to transform agric sector

Telecommunication company Vodafone Ghana has launched a new initiative to help provide mobile services to offer relevant information on improved farming practices in the agriculture sector.

The initiative dubbed, ‘Vodafone Farmers’ Club’ would also provide farmers with information on prices of commodities, expert advice on farming practices and crop information in their preferred language.

The initiative, which is in partnership with Esoko - an information service provider for agricultural markets in Africa – is meant to bridge the gap between farmers and critical farming information.

According to the company, the partnership would assist in connecting farms, agribusinesses and rural communities to drive productivity, profitability and innovation.

“One third of humanity relies on food grown by 500 million smallholder farmers with less than two hectares of land. As Ghana’s population continues to expand, farmers have an urgent need to produce ever-increasing amounts of food without destroying habitats or depleting resources in unsustainable manners.

“Smart and forward-looking initiatives such as the Vodafone Farmers’ Club concept can make a real difference in addressing the global challenge of food production and security,”Serpil Timuray, Regional CEO of Vodafone Africa, Middle East & Asia Pacific Region said.

Haris Broumidis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, disclosed that weather forecast and virtual market places where farmers can sell their produce and other mobile services have important roles to play in increasing agricultural resilience and enhancing the lives of farmers.

Vodafone Group has launched the Farmers’ Club initiative in three other countries – India, Kenya and Tanzania – to boost its position in local markets and help create new opportunities for citizens.