Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has launched a Soil Manager app which enables farmers to access a range of precision-based farming services across Africa.
Africa is home to more than 10 million farmers with 50% owning a mobile device. The app allows 24/7 access to a range of services which can assist with enriching soil fertility and increase yields whilst minimising input costs. It is available free of charge from the Google Play store, and is an innovative way for local farmers to connect with qualified specialists, fertilizer merchants and even allowing for direct investments by sponsors.
Simple video tutorials are available on the app to aid farmers in the process of mapping their land and drawing soil samples. To submit test samples, farmers can access real time information on the nearest drop-off depot or send the soil sample directly to Intertek, with the results directly available along with fertilizer recommendations on the app. In addition, farmers can connect with a qualified agronomist to discuss the results, a service that is often beyond the reach of the small scale farmers in Africa.
Charles Botha, Intertek Regional Manager for Agricultural Services commented: “There is a pressing need to support the agricultural sector in Africa in order to ensure food security. This app could revolutionize the way that farmers do business through linking farmers with fertilizer merchants and even by integrating sponsorship into the process. Given enough time, the data collected from the app will enable farmers and sponsors alike, access to progress made by their actions, through the results on specific crop yields achieved.”
