Implementing GovTech To Promote Agricultural Economy in Africa

Agriculture is said to be the major contributor to the East African Community (EAC) with 24% to 44% of GDP in five partner states and in Ethiopia it is one of the highest with over 30% of its GDP. (source EAC website)

According to African Development Bank Group (AFDB) reports, the size of food and agriculture in Africa will rise to $1 trillion by 2030. The continent has 60% of global arable land. Economically, it is also noted that East Africa region has been reported to be the fastest growing on the continent.

GovTech In Africa

Realizing the emergence of the fast-growing agri-economy, CSM pitched in at the right time into the growth and development bandwagon and implemented its robust solutions for the sector. This is evident from the fact that from 2018, CSM has been involved in the Tea sector (Kenya), Seed Certification (Kenya), Wheat Rust Surveillance (Ethiopia) and National Soil Information System (Ethiopia).

GOVTECH IN KENYA

Integrated Tea Trade System

The USP of the project is Online Auction System between brokers and buyers to sell the producer’s teas. The solution is an end to end solution which starts from Producer’s dispatching of teas, warehouses receiving the teas, brokers preparing the tea catalogue and after auction, the entire tracking of the Tea from Invoicing, Payment and Tea release is tracked in the system. It aims to eradicate monopoly of big players through transparency and bring all buyers/producer at the same platform to participate and buy/sell teas.

Seed Certification and Plant Variety Protection

The project is assisting the users from Plant variety protection (patent), seed labelling to seed certification and Integration with Inter switch for payment processing. It aims to increase competition among breeders by rewarding those innovating new varieties through granting of Plant Variety Protection. Significantly higher number of varieties is estimated to be developed and released after the introduction of PVP through this application.

GOVTECH IN ETHIOPIA

Wheat Rust Surveillance Information System

This project helps the farmers in getting early warning related to wheat rust from the Ministry of Agriculture through the implementation of field surveillance data, Race analysis and Forecast Modelling and sharing of data with UK Meteorology department. This helps the farmers in taking actions by using recommended pesticides and protects their crop from Rust.

National Soil Information System

Through NSIS system the farmers, Development Agents will be able to find the soil fertility status and recommended soil fertilizers of their land to help increase their productivity of the crop. This is done through vigorous soil analysis, mining of data and prediction through machine learning algorithms implemented in this project.

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CSM Editorial