Zimbabwe: Embrace Technology, Farmers Urged

BitMari aims to serve the people of Zimbabwe through Bitcoin-fueled economic empowerment. Though based in the United States, the BitMari staff is in tune with what Zimbabweans need by interacting with them and factoring their concerns into the business model.

One of the areas that BitMari looks to aid Zimbabwe is in the agricultural sector. For example, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Crops and Irrigation, Davis Marapira recently made a plea to Zimbabwe farmers to embrace and utilize technology in order to boost crop production. “Our farmers are failing to reach potential yields because of lack of responsive technologies that deal with some of these problems. If not properly controlled, weeds can cause yield losses of more than 70 percent,” said Marapira.

Marapira made his appeal to farmers at the launch of Bayer Zimbabwe’s “new maize post emergence herbicide” called Auxo. Auxo is a chemical used against broad leaf and grass weeds. According to AllAfrica:

Deputy Minister Marapira said it was worrisome that 1,6 million hectares of land was put under maize every year in Zimbabwe but yields were low, compromising national food security.

He also expressed concern that a majority of farmers still use the hoe to weed their maize crop, which he said was laborious and time wasting.

“Maize forms the staple food crop hence its importance in securing livelihoods of the people.

About 1,6 million hectares are put under maize annually across the country but yields are very worrisome, with poor management of weeds and pests being one of the key challenges.

Surely, many farmers in Zimbabwe would love to update their farming practices. However, due to the current economic crisis, getting the tools needed for successful crop cultivation and harvesting is too heavy a financial burden. This is where BitMari steps in. Through its “Zimbabwe Women Farmers Accelerator” crowdfunding effort, the company looks to equip ten farmers from ten provinces in the nation with BitMari Bitcoin Wallets, that will make up-to-date agricultural/technological resources more attainable.

If BitMari is successful and women farmers who benefit from the Accelerator reach their goals, money will be cycled back through, so more women farmers can follow in their footsteps. Successful farmers equal successful economies and healthy societies. BitMari is poised to make all a reality.

Reference Article: www.allafrica.com