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Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
RELATIONS between the corporate world and young farmers continue to grow with network provider Econet recently launching a new cellphone access code that is set to revolutionise agricultural production in line with the country’s push to modernise the sector’s operations.
A subsidiary of EcoCash Holdings, Vaya Digital Farmer, recently launched the new farmer-focused access code in partnership with the Federation of Young Farmers Clubs in Zimbabwe Trust (FYFCZ).
FYFCZ is a group of passionate young farmers who believe in collaborative and collective efforts towards high yield agricultural systems.
EcoCash Holdings general manager and FYFCZ board of trustees’ member Mr Felix Vengesai said farming had to be creative and innovative, as they shed more light on the platform.
“It’s an unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) platform specifically targeting young farmers under FYFCZ where information dissemination and coordination of activities happens. It also provides access to information within FYFCZ on services such as tractors, harvesters, drone machinery and access to financial resources (both local and foreign currency) via Ecocash,” he said.
By simply dialling an assigned code (*144*100#) young farmers will be able to access farming tips and request for Vaya tractor services among others, he said.
The latest product is currently available on the Econet network and unlike many cellphone applications, the new product uses a USSD code, which is not restricted to smartphones only as is the case with the majority of new mobile phone creations.
“Even those farmers in the countryside with very cheap mobile phone (kambudzi) will be able to benefit from use of the new code,” Vaya Digital Farmer acting general manager Mrs Faith Dube said.
Guest of honour during the launch and Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Dr Tatenda Mavetera praised Vaya Digital Farmer for embracing technology to improve farming operations in Zimbabwe in a speech read on her behalf by acting permanent secretary in her Ministry, Mr Prince Sibanda,
“The new innovation by Vaya Digital Farmer will bring more value to the farmer,” said Dr Mavetera.
The ICT Minister said the new code was launched at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) was fast changing the way of doing things.
Speaking at the same function FYFCZ president Mr Tinashe Ben Muchedzi extended gratitude towards the corporate partners for their continued support and summed up the 2022/23 farming season saying it had been a roller coaster of a year, a learning year for shaping ideologies.
Among other new initiatives, the young farmers’ organisation launched was the annual golf day, which was held in Marondera while several new clubs were established in different parts of the country.
Online Reporter