September to December, 2008 - Sambaza Wakulima concept

Through our attempts to assist farmers, we discovered the first hurdle was to establish a low-cost communication channel via which farmers could express their needs and interests. As a result, we tested the viability of an SMS (short messaging system) network for farmers. Sambaza Wakulima is a Swahili term which, roughly translated, means Empowering Farmers through SMS.

We explored using SMS to send farmers information on organic farming techniques, wholesale market prices and available in-country resources. They sent us information on their farming activities and current needs. Farmers were very receptive to the pilot but the cost of receiving multiple messages (e.g. an organic herbicide recipe and other updates could easily span 40 SMS messages) proved to be cost-prohibitive for farmers.

December 2008 Report http://www.box.net/shared/ej0etrz405

Student Consultant Report http://www.box.net/shared/2tva4kjhv4

In addition, a cursory market assessment revealed there are several exciting new opportunities which can be leveraged in the context of rural agriculture:

§ Mobile Communications, Open Source platforms, and Cloud Computing

§ Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS), Slow Food Movement, Carbon Credit markets, Renewable Energy, and Natural Pharmaceuticals

§ Specialized African Markets (AGOA, COMESA, EU Cotonou Agreement and UN World Food Programme)

§ Peru has been successful in using authentic local cuisine as an economic development strategy (see Background Briefing for additional details)