Any basic phone
Farmers without smartphones or internet will be able to use simple USSD menus to access selected agricultural information and services.
MC3 Smart Farmer · in development
Agricultural advice on whatever phone or radio a farmer has
MC3 is developing MC3 Smart Farmer, a farmer-support platform designed to make agricultural information and advisory services accessible to farmers, including those with limited access to smartphones or the internet.
How MC3 Smart Farmer will work
The platform will combine several channels so each farmer can be reached the way that suits them.
Alerts and reminders
Agricultural alerts, reminders, weather-related information and crop management messages.
Answers on demand
Guidance on crop production, farming practices, pests, diseases, weather-related risks and other agricultural questions.
Fuller information
More comprehensive information for farmers, agricultural organisations and other stakeholders.
Mass reach
Radio as a mass communication channel to reach farmers in rural and underserved communities.
People for the hard questions
Technology will complement agricultural professionals, not replace them. Farmers will be connected to qualified agronomists for complex questions.
Digital agriculture
Information that moves both ways
MC3's approach connects the physical agricultural ecosystem with digital technology, creating a continuous farmer-support and agricultural knowledge network.
Farmer radio programme
A radio programme farmers can talk back to
MC3 intends to establish an interactive agricultural radio programme. Farmers will be able to send questions by SMS, USSD or telephone, and an agronomist will answer selected questions on air.
On the programme, farmers will be able to
- Learn about crop production
- Receive seasonal farming advice
- Ask agricultural questions
- Hear from agronomists and agricultural specialists
- Discuss pests and diseases
- Learn about improved seed varieties
- Receive information on climate and weather risks
- Learn about markets and agricultural opportunities
Local languages
MC3 Smart Farmer is designed to support communication in multiple local languages, so agricultural information is accessible to rural communities.