Vaudiofone Corp. provides AgriFone, a “mobile-phone” based closed box “procurement chain” solution /platform for Agribusiness and farmers. AgriFone is a voice-based advisory solution that allows for peer-to-peer, on-demand, and community-driven exchange through the entire Agribusiness value chain.
AgriFone sets together a social platform on mobile phones that makes it possible for farmers to easily interact with each other, share information, get help, seek information, sell produce, etc. All that a farmer has to do is post voice messages to appropriate local social groups, and review voice messages posted by others as necessary. Messages are typically a combination of voice recording and optionally an image and text if the host mobile device allows that capability.
AgriFone supports device diversity and use of ultra low cost handsets (ULCH) among farmers. Hence the solution is tailored to work on such devices without any barriers to accessibility and affordability. Such a solution will also work above literacy and language barriers. Experience and lessons learnt through initial pilots undertaken suggest effectiveness of peer to peer learning allowed by moderated and unmediated information exchange.
AgriFone makes it possible to create mixed adhoc groups of farmers growing a variety of crops and agribusiness experts and it facilitates group interactions between them. Agribusinesses such as contract farming organizations, fertilizer & seed providers, etc. can directly interact with groups of technically-challenged farmers over mobile phones. Thus, using the AgriFone solution, millions of non-technical rural users all over the world can be “plugged into” the supply chain thereby addressing their operational and logistical needs.
- Contract farming organizations
- Fertilizer & seed providers
- Farmer cooperatives
- Logistics of Contract Farming
- Connecting groups of farmers to agribusiness supply chain actors
- Procurement / management of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
- Communicating Package of Practices (POP) and technical extension services to farmers
- Sharing Field observations recorded on mobile
- Access to expert groups
AgriFone