Airtel Uganda in partnership with Human Network International (HNI), a global development organisation has launched a call in system that will provide free, on demand information to its users.
For now, the initial content is about agriculture, financial literacy, health and weather. This information has been put together by Self Help Africa, Global Resilience Partnership, USAID, PACE, the ministry of health, the ministry of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries and Ugandan and international subject area experts.
Using recorded messages by native speakers, the service is convenient for every Ugandan with a mobile phone regardless of age, education and literacy. After dialling (161), you are asked to choose a preferred language by voice prompts in Ateso, English, Luganda, Luo, and Runyakitara (Rukiga, Runyankole, Runyoro, Rutoro).
Jamie Arkin, the HNI Uganda programme manager, said people are being given a whole new way of accessing information.
“We thank all our partners for creating information and actionable content. Uganda has one of the youngest, fastest growing populations in the world and people here are excited to use technology in new and innovative ways,” she said.
Every user has 10 attempts in a month. When they get used up, the subsequent ones will cost sh150 per minute.
Anwar Soussa, the Airtel managing director, said with the ever increasing mobile phone penetration, there is need to introduce applications and services that benefit people. He added that at the moment, the information is selective on fishing and farming as pioneer topics given that Uganda is highly driven by the agriculture sector.
“This service contains correct and relevant information on agribusiness, best planting practices, improved sanitation during the rainy season, how to stay safe on the lake for fishermen. I extend my appreciation to whoever made this project a success and for their outstanding efforts to better communities in Uganda. We expect it to make a big impact,” he said.
“For health, our priority is dealing with family planning and maternal health. We are proud to be part of this initiative because there are a lot of myths and misconceptions we would like to set straight. In addition, this platform will connect users to medics that can help them through emergencies,” said Dr. Dorothy Balaaba, the programme director of PACE.
There is a gap in provision of extension services to farmers and Zakayo Muyaka, the commissioner of extension services and skills in the ministry of agriculture says this service will give timely information to farmers for every stage of production.
“Be it pre-planting, harvesting, selling or about produce market trends, farmers will get the tips they need to make informed decisions. We have tabled a bill before parliament and one of the issues was e-extension. This program is very timely and in line with the plans we have for our farmers. It is going to be a good starting point,” Muyaka said.
More services will be developed to add on the ones currently available. This is intended to help communities comprehensively.
Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1433673/airtel-launces-agriculture-support-service
