Resource information
This project is based on a request from the Pan African Farmers Organisation members developed during the succession of continental briefings examining their capacity building needs and policy issues between 2012 and 2016 in the following steps: Using a discussion forum amongst the more than 200 members, they identified a number of successful farmers organisations requiring support for capacity development. A study was then carried out by the ZED group together with a further e-discussion to establish the needs to improve financial management. This identified the need for data to improve access to finance in terms of credit, but also to ensure access to insurance.
At the fourth Continental Briefing, the PAFO identified the need to upport data driven farming within the farmers organisations and the new opportunities offered by different sustainable models like precision agriculture.
To ensure coverage across Africa the Regional Farmers Organisations were approached to propose further cases to ensure activities in each region.
Several services were considered for support during the data4ag project:
• Membership registration covering data take-on with mobile phone details so that farmers can update and receive further information through SMS services. The Farmers organisation can view this data through the Web, and download information locally and view dashboards of the information online.
• GPS mapping. This involves geolocation of farms and potential boundary mapping.
• Strategic development advice.Consultancy support to develop membership services can be provided for software development and data ownership agreements
• Data take-on agents. Financial support to hire short-term agents to assist with initial registration and promotion of services.
