In a bid to inform, enlight, empower and increase access to agribased information, leading mobile telecommunications operator Airtel Malawi has launched Mchikumbe 212, a mobile phone application that offers access to a wide range of information on farming.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr Allan Chiyembekeza officially launched the product in Lilongwe.
He said Mchikumbe212 would be handy in reaching out to most small holder farmers to access critical information that can boost their knowledge on agriculture and finances.
“As a Ministry we are proud of Mchikumbe 212 product since it is a dynamic and comprehensive mobile agriculture and financial service aimed at transforming smallholder farmer’s life by providing vital farming information that can enhance farming as business whilst promoting improved financial literacy and cash security awareness,” he said adding that Airtel Malawi deserves a pat on the back for continuous innovations that are hatched to provide instant solutions within our society and communities across the country.
He then said the Ministry of Agriculture shall monitor the progress and performance of the product with keen interest and provide the much needed feedback to Airtel.
“We are looking forward to utilizing this product to assist agricultural extension development offices work in extension message dissemination.
“Let us always remember that an informed farmer is an empowered farmer. Information is power as it empowers,” he explained.
In his remarks, Airtel Malawi’s Acting Managing Director Charles Kamoto said Mchikumbe212 is a platform for sound agriculture content and access to market information so that farmers really take their farming as a business.
“The product will be accessed through a unique short-code 212 or USSD *212#. Mchikumbe 212 service offers information in dramatized and dialogue form format for greater engagement with farmers. In addition, users will be able to access first 3 calls for free each month and thereafter will have to pay MK40 for each subsequent call made in that month,” he explained.
Kamoto further said Mchikumbe212 is a basic application that will be accessible on simple mobile phones for people in rural areas across the country.
Among other things, Mchikumbe 212 will leverage an extended outreach team of service actors including extension workers, Airtel Money Agents, Agri-businesses and Lead Farmers who will be trained and incentivized to introduce the service to farmers and encourage ongoing adoption and usage.
“This product is another emphasis that Airtel realizes the need for farmers to access good agricultural practices information so as to improve and increase their yields,” Kamoto observed.
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