In each village we come to there is enthusiasm. The farmers' questions mainly revolve around prices, passwords and packages. Farmers are keen to understand the specifics of the inputs packages offered on Ubia Soko. Our message here today in Milmba focuses on matching inputs packages to particular commodities as well as how the platform can offer …
The traders we have been working with on the Ubia Soko rollout have started to lead in the training and awareness building sessions in the villages. The great thing is that they bring specific insights and local knowledge into these sessions as well as showing how Ubia Soko can help address real challenges that farmers …
We have been pleased with turnout at our village-by-village rollout. One thing we are learning is the various routes we can take to scale the uptake by farmers. It is clear that the distributors and traders we are working with are keen to take on the farmer registration. One of the traders has been with …
While we know some international development agencies encourage participation through so-called "sitting fees" - Ubia Soko relies on word of mouth, farmer networks and the usefulness of the product to attract interest - we use the app to message farmers. 70 plus smallholders, both men and women, travelled up to 4 kms to attend the …
In July a few of the Agriinsight team visited Mbalaji village. When we returned today we were encouraged to see that the farmers had kept their passwords and wanted to continue to use the Ubia Soko service. We worked with farmers who were keen to train and learn more and some helped new farmers to …
Farmers are keen to learn and incredibly patient as long as what they learn fits with what they already know. Then they can integrate the new knowledge and use it. Frederic shows farmers the Ubia Soko app and then trains them to use it. These lessons are more practical than theoretical. Farmers make very basic …
When you are upcountry there are unexpected challenges. In Kanyenja, Airtel, one of the major network operators was down this morning for a couple of hours. Many farmers use their service but fortunately it came back up as Frederic started his training. Its a remote spot but perfect for the Ubia Soko app close by …
Farmers bring their rice to the miller for de-husking. We couldn’t grow the Ubia Soko app without understanding it. When Fred goes to Mikoleko today he will watch and learn from farmers on many aspects of trading. All this knowledge goes into the development of Ubia Soko.
Although diesel powered toll milling is less powerful, in off grid locations like Magombera it's necessary for local farmers to find a way to dehusk rice. Ubia Soko is helping farmers to trade rice collectively and increase revenues.
Mwaya is in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania where our colleague Frederic is training farmers in using our Ubia Soko app. The app is designed to help farmers order inputs and trade their commodities.
