Edible commodity producers get respite

Edible commodity producers are set to enjoy relief with the introduction of a helpline to enhance access to information in the agricultural industry.

The helpline, developed by Esoko Ghana -- a private firm -- and other service providers, will enable farmers to access information covering diseases and pests, post-harvest issues, storage, use of pesticides, fertilisers and others.

Commodities to be covered are Maize, Rice, Soya, Sorghum, Tomatoes, Cassava, Yam, Mango, Shea nuts, Cow peas among others.

Currently, eight operators are on standby to cover about 10 commodities in-depth -- but there plans to cover up to 25 commodities by close of the year.

Across Africa, farmers are struggling with using ever-more sophisticated seeds, pesticides and fertilizers; and with many depending on the rains for their livelihoods, they are trying to manage an increasingly unpredictable weather cycle.

Public extension services are struggling to keep up, sometimes with one officer serving as many as 3,000 farmers. And with a growing world population, food security and nutrition has never been more important.

Available to anyone dialling 1900, a group of agricultural experts have been made available to answer whatever questions a caller might pose -- ranging from the weather prediction to issues relating to best farming practices, prices of food items on the market, among others.

Speaking during the launch of the helpline, Ms Mary Naah, Helpline Services Manager, said the call centre is available in 12 local languages, namely: Dagbani, Mampruli, Twi, Kusaal, Frafra, Sissali, Wali, Ewe, Ga, Fante,Hausa and Dagaari.

She said the Esoko Ghana farmers’ helpline 1900 is available on Vodafone, MTN and Airtel at a regular call rate, adding that Tigo and Glo networks will be added soon.

She said the centre, which operates from Monday to Friday between 8am to 5pm, has been staffed with people from an agricultural background in order to give expert advice to farmers who call.

She noted that there has been a lot of innovation in farming across the globe, and that the helpline services are to enable the farmers understand and make use of such best farming practices.

She bemoaned the lack of enough extension officers in farming communities, adding that the work of the Esoko Call Centre is meant to complement the efforts of such extension officers.

She intimated that Esoko Ghana has also put in place the needed measures to monitor impacts of the call centre’s work on the farmers who patronise it.

Mr. Mark Davies, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Esoko, said since 2005, the company had grown to be the leading initiative in delivering market information to farmers across Africa -- operating in eight countries, employing over 200 people, and increasing farmers income by 10 percent.

“Esoko is an example of how the public sector can participate and encourage private sector innovation and investment to drive food security and improve livelihoods.”

He said it is also an example of how Ghanaian software developers can build world-class technology that can be used throughout the continent of Africa.

He intimated that it was also established to provide solutions needed for the agri-business industry in Africa, and also introduce technology that is appropriate and relevant to the clients.

Mr. Jim Beaver, Mission Director, USAID Ghana, which is a partner of Esoko Ghana, expressed his appreciation to the company for the initiative, as it would go a long way to assist farmers in the country improve on their farming knowledge.

Esoko is currently operating in Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe and recently in Kenya.