GRASSROOTS AFRICAthe Information Network for African Farmers

www.grassrootsafrica.org

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A Global Farmers’ Question Time

• A farmer puts a question to the intermediary

• The intermediary posts the question on the website.

• A practitioner – probably, but not necessarily based in Africa – posts an answer. There is an online discussion.

• Once a consensus answer is reached, it is passed back to the intermediary to pass back to the farmer.

• An e-mail is passed on to everyone who has registered an interest in the subject

• In the long term, the farmer will be able to ask and receive the information directly, in her own vernacular

The stages

• Stage 1; working principally via intermediaries in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda

• Stage 2. We aim to reach the most marginal farmers of all, mostly women, working in depleted soils, with decreasing rainfall, poor tools and weak seeds

• They are illiterate, live in remote areas, speak only their own vernacular language and have no access to the most basic information.

Information is power

• The internet and mobile devices are making enormous inroads

• For the time being, GRASSROOTS AFRICA will deliver information via the internet, in English, and through local intermediaries

• These intermediaries range from the personnel of local self-help groups, co-operatives, ministries of agriculture, Christian Aid partners, Oxfam field staff and others

• In the long run farmers will be able to help other farmers through mobile devices

Who are we?

We have incorporated the project as a Community Interest Company (CIC)

• Three directors(with backgrounds in economic development, law, management)

• Five people in the engine room(IT, accounts, fundraising, microfinance, research)

We have raised £4,000 from local friends. Local schools are undertaking research and helping with our media work.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PROJECT AND JOIN US

www.grassrootsafrica.org

……thanks