Description
Smart Agro is an SMS-based agrometeorological advisory service offered by IPKO. Registered farmers are informed via SMS about weather and soil conditions and any elevated disease risks. Under the pilot project launched in 2018, around 1000 farmers were given free access to an SMS service providing advice created by agronomists based on data from 16 weather stations in Kosovo related to four crops. The real-time data and advice provided to farmers contributed to better decision-making.
Technology
Smart Agro uses data from 16 solar-powered agrometeorological stations in Kosovo that feature multiple sensors and a camera. The stations measure various metrics, such as wind speed, soil moisture, air temperature, etc., and the gathered data is transmitted to a web application that allows the data to be visualized. The application makes predictions based on historical data and models, while agronomists offer practical advice top farmers based on the garnered data, which is sent out via SMS to farmers using IPKO's telecommunication infrastructure.
Target
The initial pilot project targeted around 1000 primarily smallholder farmers, who received free SMSs throughout 2018. Today, a few large farmers are paying a fee for the weather station data, although the data can also be used by insurance companies, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Meteorology Agency and universities for other purposes.
Business model
In the pilot phase, registered smallholder farmers received free SMSs for a year. Currently, a number of large farmers are paying 65 EUR/month for data access. Each weather station costs around EUR 13 000 to purchase and maintain for 7 years. IPKO wants to expand the initiative, and so is seeking partnerships and funding opportunities to increase the number of stations.
Impact
The advisory service helps farmers make informed farming decisions, and anticipate such hazards as pests, disease and weather events. Only two farmers cancelled their subscription during the pilot. The data can be of use to multiple sectors, including insurance companies, banks, universities and public sector agencies in various roles, such as for guiding the creation of better insurance schemes, risk prediction, scientific research and improved planning.
Partners
USAID; Faculty of Agriculture
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
