Agriculture

Helping Rural Farmers Thrive
For poor farmers in the developing world, a crop failure can be catastrophic, putting already marginalized families at risk of disease, malnutrition and financial ruin. Grameen Foundation’s Community Knowledge Worker (CKW) program uses mobile phone applications and human networks we have developed to provide poor farmers with relevant, timely agricultural information, including caring for animals, planting crops, treating pests and diseases, and getting fair market prices for produce and livestock. This information helps farmers improve their lives and livelihoods by increasing their productivity and income. 

Farmers Helping Farmers
Different from other agricultural programs, we reach the most rural, “last kilometer” villages by employing a network of Community Knowledge Workers. As farmers themselves, respected in their community and chosen by their peers to be CKWs, these workers serve as “feet in the field,” helping other farmers access specific information and encouraging ongoing use.

Keeping Information Relevant
To keep information updated and relevant, CKWs collect data via mobile phone-based surveys of the farmers they help, improving the service and better addressing farmer needs. Agricultural ministries and other organizations pay to have surveys administered, providing an important source of revenue – and thus sustainability – for the program.

Expanding Outreach throughout Uganda
With a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Grameen Foundation is working with the mobile operator MTN and other partners to expand the program across Uganda. Our goal is to train 1,500 Community Knowledge Workers to serve more than 1.25 million poor Ugandans.

Learn more about our Mobile Agriculture Programs.