Dar es Salaam, 31st August 2023
Dr. Denis Tippe, Director of the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute’s Uyole Agricultural Research Institute in Mbeya, applauded the unveiling of SeedCast, a novel mobile application aimed at redefining Tanzania’s rice seed landscape.
Speaking at the Rice Breeding Innovations Partners’ Annual Meeting in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Tippe remarked, “Witnessing the daily challenges our farmers face in sourcing quality seeds, I believe SeedCast is nothing short of revolutionary.” He expressed confidence that the platform would drastically simplify the often intricate task of identifying the appropriate type, quantity, and source of quality seeds.
Tippe emphasized SeedCast’s unique strength in its localized functionality. “It’s designed with grassroots utility in mind. Even village agricultural officers can harness this tool to relay timely information about available seeds from local outlets or agro-dealers.”
Highlighting the transformative potential of SeedCast, Dr. Tippe noted the value of data-driven decision-making. “District councils can now tap into a reservoir of data, informing them about seed volume availability. This facilitates improved planning and allocation. Furthermore, SeedCast’s analytical prowess will align national seed production with actual demand.”
Addressing a long-standing bottleneck, he added, “The dearth of reliable, current information has been a persistent hurdle for our farmers. SeedCast plugs this gap, offering farmers validated data on seed availability, pricing, and proximity.”
While the current version of the app caters to smartphones, Dr. Tippe unveiled plans for its expansion. “Our approach is smart yet inclusive. The roadmap ahead includes disseminating this pivotal data via standard SMS, ensuring every farmer, regardless of their device, is informed.”
Dr. Tippe reiterated the app’s transformative potential. “SeedCast is not just another app; it’s a beacon of hope and progress for Tanzanian farmers. As we embrace the digital age, initiatives like these are pivotal in bridging the information divide and empowering our agricultural community.
SeedCast is a groundbreaking mobile application designed to revolutionize the rice seed market in Tanzania. The main functions and highlights of the app are:
Supply and Demand Bridge: SeedCast aims to transform the way rice seed supply and demand information is exchanged, essentially bridging the gap between what is available and what is needed.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), it is intended for use by various rice stakeholders in Tanzania. This includes farmers, seed suppliers, and policymakers, fostering collaboration across the board.
User-Friendly Features: SeedCast boasts intuitive features that aim to change rice production dynamics in Tanzania, a significant player in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region’s rice production scene.
Localized Application: It is designed with the local context in mind. Even grassroots-level individuals, like village agricultural officers, can use the system to provide information about available seeds in local stores or agro-dealers.
Data-Driven Decision Making: One of the primary benefits is its data-centric approach. District councils and other administrative units can now access data that informs them about seed volume availability, facilitating better planning and distribution.
Future-Ready: While the current version is optimized for smartphones, there are plans to expand its capabilities, making the data available via standard SMS. This ensures that farmers, regardless of their technological access, can benefit from the crucial information provided by SeedCast.
Empowerment of Farmers: By providing accurate, timely information on quality seeds, their cost, and their availability, SeedCast addresses a significant pain point for Tanzanian farmers, streamlining their access to resources necessary for improved yield.
SeedCast is a digital solution addressing the pain points of the Tanzanian rice farming community, promising improved efficiency, collaboration, and productivity.