UK tech firm eyes Rwanda agric sector

Source: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?a=71977&i=15538

A UK-based data and technology firm has expressed interest in Rwanda’s agriculture sector, with plans to open shop in the country early next year. 

David Mills director of Weather Safe Ltd said the company provides field monitoring data, yield forecasting, crop insights and decision support for daily and seasonal use to support crop production.

“We believe that the project will go a long way in augmenting government’s efforts to bolster extension services. It will also improve information gathering so that the country’s agro-industry can plan and manage resources more efficiently,” Mills said in an interview on the sidelines of the just concluded ICT for Agriculture summit in Kigali.
“One of the farmers’ biggest challenge is how to deal with climatic and weather changes. Over the last several years, weather patterns have become more erratic, making it hard for stakeholders to manage resources and ensure sustainable production to satisfy the local and export markets,” he noted. 

The project will be supported by European Space Agency, Satellite Application Catapult and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mills said.

How it works 

The system provides automated early warning systems for pests and disease, combines hyper-local weather monitoring, agronomic data modeling and real time high resolution satellite data to deliver an easy-to-use Internet and mobile service. 

Automated tracking systems and forecasts equipment will be installed on and off farms linked to the agricultural centre, in this case, the Rwanda Agricultural Board. Using satellite and GPS devices, field-specific crop growth stages will be tracked throughout the season, Mills noted.

This will enable farmers to stay on top of smart farming and make timely decisions that can improve yields.

“This investment will help farmers operate more efficiently and accurately and, thus, increase output and profits since they will base their activities on informed decisions,” he argued.

Mills said the project will start with the coffee and tea sub-sectors “because these are the major drivers of Rwanda’s export sector”.

Corneille Ntakirutimana, the National Agriculture Export board (NAEB), director for production, pointed out that if the technology is introduced, it will help reduce risks that threaten the cash crop industry.