Disrupting Agricultural Norms and Challenging Climate Fate in Africa

Introduction

In the heart of Tanzania's agricultural landscape, a quiet revolution is taking place that challenges age-old farming practices and promises to reshape the future of agriculture. MazaoHub, an innovative agricultural platform, has ignited discussions and controversies, particularly surrounding its profound impact on climate-sensitive practices. As the world grapples with the challenges of a changing climate, MazaoHub stands as a bold contender offering transformative solutions to farmers. In this in-depth exploration, we delve into MazaoHub's journey, address climate-related questions, and various testimonies since its inception.

 

MazaoHub AI Agronomy Module

Think about this challenge: on average in Tanzania and other African countries, one extension officer is responsible for managing over 3000 smallholder farmers in their village, and they do this manually. They are legally required to visit 7 farmers per day and record information with pen and paper. They must provide agronomic advice and track the progress of each farmer, which can be difficult manually, and sometimes they forget what advice they gave. As a result, many farmers are left without help, leading to trial and error farming practices, poor-quality produce, and low productivity.

MazaoHub AI Agronomy is the first module of MazaoHub Climate Farm Management Software, serving as its foundation. It uses AI technology to streamline personalized agronomy services for each farmer, bridging the gap and easy communication between farmers, remote extension officers and decision makers including farm planning, cost analysis, and projections. It streamline activities from field mapping, land preparation, sowing, fertilizer application, pest control, and more, all tailored to the farmer based on the the specific village, soil, crop, climate, and other factors. Extension officers can use this AI Agronomy module to manage or control remote extension services, all related tasks efficiently and communication with other key players or decision makers.

Imagine a farmer or extension officer receiving notifications on their mobile device, reminding them of tasks in their fields. MazaoHub's AI system uses data from soil tests, weather conditions, and crop details to provide customized guidance on various farming activities, from planting to harvesting. This eliminates the need for pen and paper, and extension officers can monitor farmers' progress using their phones, powered by AI technology.

MazaoHub doesn't stop at harvest; it also offers guidance on post-harvest procedures, storage, and marketing. The platform's traceability report is valuable for buyers, ensuring transparency and quality assurance throughout the cultivation process.

MazaoHub is more than just AI Agronomy; it's a complete extension management system that covers all farming stages. By combining AI recommendations with on-ground expertise, it empowers farmers to succeed in modern agriculture sustainably. In an era where sustainable farming and resource management are crucial, MazaoHub's AI Agronomy Module is a game-changing solution that helps farmers prosper and supports sustainable agriculture.

MazaoHub AI Agronomy Module has already reached over 33,800 farmers(users), including 800 extension officers supervising these farmers, mainly through farmer groups, cooperatives, and commercial farmers. This approach has made it easier and more cost-effective to reach a large number of farmers.

These are the crops covered by MazaoHub farm management system that are extensively cultivated in Africa(Tanzania). Each product comes with its own set of modules covering Good Agricultural Practices, soil nutrients needed, tropical conditions needed for each crop growth, knowledge on cultivation techniques, treatment methods, and fertilizer, pesticide, and insecticide requirements. Tailored Agronomy services provided by MazaoHub are based on tailored analysis of the specific area's soil, village, crop, season, climate, and other factors.

Cereals and Grains:

1. Wheat
2. Rice
3. Corn (Maize)
4. Barley
5. Oats
6. Sorghum
7. Millet

Pulses (Legumes):

1. Chickpeas
2. Peas
3. Beans
4. Soybeans

Oilseeds:

1. Sunflower
2. Cottonseed
3. Sesame

Fruits:

1. Avocado
2. Apples
3. Bananas
4. Grapes
5. Oranges
6. Mangoes
7. Strawberries
8. Pineapples
9. Watermelons
10. Peaches
11. Pears

Vegetables:

1. Tomatoes
2. Potatoes
3. Carrots
4. Lettuce
5. Cucumbers
6. Peppers (Bell peppers, Chili peppers)
7. Onions
8. Spinach
9. Broccoli
10. Cauliflower

Root Crops:

1. Potatoes
2. Sweet Potatoes
3. Beets
4. Cassava

Nuts:

i.            Almonds

ii.            Walnuts

iii.            Cashews

iv.            Peanuts

 

MazaoHub's Response to Climate Challenges

A central pillar of MazaoHub's revolutionary approach is dedicated commitment to mitigating climate-related concerns within agriculture. One noteworthy aspect of MazaoHub's impact is its contribution to Soil Health. We all know that our soil is already under stress due to a number of factors, including overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Climate change is exacerbating these problems, leading to increased soil erosion, reduced soil fertility, and decreased crop yields.

To address those challenges, let's break down MazaoHub's Soil Analysis and Recommendation Module. Using MazaoHub cutting-edge Soil Scanners, the platform analyzes soil samples, revealing soil nutrient levels and deficiencies. This information guides recommendations for precise fertilizer application, tailored to the specific needs of crops and soil. By optimizing fertilizer usage, not only are costs reduced, but the environment benefits as well. Over-fertilization using mineral fertilizers contributes to nutrient runoff, which can contaminate water sources and harm ecosystems. But the questions linger: How exactly does this work, and how does it relate to climate-conscious practices? Any Milestones?

In the MazaoHub Farm Management system, each of our Soil Scanner is assigned with a unique identity number that is integrated or registered with the MazaoHub Farm Management Software to enable communication between sensors and the software. This integration allows farmers to receive personalized soil analysis and recommendations. Our Soil Scanners are labeled with numbers starting with MZH. Currently, a total of 50 Soil Scanners have been manufactured and numbered.

In order for a farmer to perform a soil test, they must choose the unique identity number of the Soil Scanner present at the testing location. For instance, if a farmer visits an Agro dealer or the leader of their farmers' group to conduct a soil test, they must first select the specific identity number of the Soil Scanner available at that location with their soil samples.

Once they choose their Soil Scanner number in the MazaoHub App and conduct the soil test, the soil sample report is automatically delivered to the MazaoHub farmer's account within 5 minutes. Furthermore, the person conducting the soil test can move on to another farmer and use the same Soil Scanner. By selecting the corresponding Soil Scanner number and inserting it into the soil, the report is sent to the farmer after 5 minutes.

For each acre, we take one or more samples depending on the field's topography. A significant portion of the farmers we started testing soil for are those who are part of farming groups. The farmers whose soil we have successfully tested amount to 5,701 farmers, covering a total of 24,090 acres, with a cumulative count of 25,999 Soil Tests conducted so far.

More than 80% of the 5,701 farmers who utilized the MazaoHub Soil Analysis and Recommendations and  all steps have been able to double their productivity. Others have managed to reduce the cost of using excessive fertilizers by cutting down expenses by over 30%. Furthermore, some have successfully minimized the improper application of mineral fertilizers. Within the MazaoHub Soil Scanners system, all types of fertilizers used by Tanzanian farmers are cataloged. These fertilizers, common among all farmers using MazaoHub Farm Management System, range from UREA, a type of fertilizer that provides three primary nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).

Another type of fertilizer is Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP). And calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). And Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer (NPK). MazaoHub Farm Management have included all the fertilizers like a databank for fertilizers used by farmers, they are branded in various names but they equally same covering nutrients mentioned.

Furthermore, MazaoHub incorporates or provide analysis on Soil PH, Soil Moisture and the Organic Manure component, which measures the organic nutrient content of the soil, including Lime and more. Farmers who tested their soils, the MazaoHub Soil Sensors have generated reports of the lacking nutrients in their soil, including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, Temperature, Humidity, Soil pH, and more. MazaoHub maintains a data bank of required nutrients for each mentioned crop to enhance productivity. Using AI, MazaoHub provides fertilizer recommendations within its system, specifying the quantity, ratio, and timing of fertilizer use for each crop, each field. Additionally, it guides farmers on utilizing Crop rotation to preserve the soil's organic content. MazaoHub has gone a step further by advising farmers not to invest more in mineral fertilizer application when results indicate an inadequate of organic content in their soils.

This comprehensive approach has resulted in increased yields, improved production, and success for farmers utilizing MazaoHub-Soil Sensors. Above all, it has fostered sustainable agriculture for these farmers.

 

Revolutionizing the Traditional Agrodealer Business Model

We all know that the primary focus of most agro dealers is to sell more and more fertilizer. They want more sales, plain and simple. When a farmer goes to an input shop to buy agricultural supplies, the agro dealer do not have a tool to check that farmer's history of input usage. Their main goal is to make more sale.

For instance, a farmer might visit an agro dealer's shop and ask for "NINJA INSECTICIDE" because another farmer recommended it to him. The farmer buys NINJA and uses it on his farm without considering the correct dosage or the type of soil. Even though the same farmer had used "KUNG FU INSECTICIDE" on the same soil before, but with a higher dosage. The farmer uses NINJA solely because another farmer suggested it, even though NINJA serves the same purpose as KUNG FU. This leads to crop damage.

This problem arises when agro dealers lack a record of a farmer's past input use. All they know is how to make a sale. Imagine if they had a system that allowed them to check a farmer's input usage history and performance before selling anything. For example, before selling inputs to a farmer, they could check the system to see what fertilizer or insecticide the farmer used last time and the condition of their soil or crop among other things. The absence of such a system contributes to climate change and farmers' inconsistent practices.

At MazaoHub, we have Agro Dealer Farm Management Module, which transforms ordinary agro input stores into farmer support centers, or as we call them in Swahili, "KLINIKI ZA KILIMO." We provide them with a system that allows them to manage their farmers, understand their agro input usage history, and track each farmer's production history. It also helps with farmer relationship management and provides a system for managing input sales, purchases, and expenses, acting as a Point of Sale (POS) with automated accounting reports based on accounting standards.

With this tool, agro dealers can invest more in their businesses and provide farmers with quality services, data, financial reports, credit scoring, and much more, ultimately improving the lives of smallholder farmers. We also collaborate with agro dealers by providing them with Soil Scanners, which they can use to assess soil conditions for farmers before selling them fertilizer. Currently, we have a network of 350 agro dealers who are partners with MazaoHub and use the MazaoHub Farm Management Software.

 

Streamlining Off taking and Supply Chain in Agriculture Value Chain.

For off-takers and manufacturers, one of the biggest challenges in the agricultural value chain is sourcing raw materials from smallholder farmers. This is because it can be difficult to find farmers who are producing the quality and quantity of produce that meets their standards. As a result, off-takers often have to pay high prices to middlemen who travel to rural areas to find farmers and their crops. In some cases, the crops that are brought in do not meet the quality standards of the off-taker's customers.

MazaoHub offers a module known as Crop Sourcing and Offtaking, which empowers off-takers, manufacturers, or commodity traders to enter into contracts with individual farmers or farmer groups to purchase their crops. An off-taker can monitor crop production from the moment a farmer prepares their land, ensuring that the farmer produces according to their quality standards.

Moreover, off-takers can collectively source crops from farmer cooperatives or farmers' groups and manage the collection process including payment to each individual farmer in the group using the crop collection module. They can register their operators or use operators within the MazaoHub platform to oversee or streamline crop collection process. Off-takers can also track which crops are expected to be harvested when and where at what quantity or quality. They can find out who planted what and where.

They can access production reports for each farmer or farmers at various levels, from the village level to the national level, including details about the fertilizers, insecticides or any associated chemicals used and the expected yield. MazaoHub provides off-takers with a traceability tool that allows them to have complete visibility from the farmers, including invoicing and contract farming tools to facilitate the purchase of farmers' crops. Off-takers can use the off-taker management module to oversee the production of their farmers. Off-takers can make purchases from anywhere, eliminating the need for them to travel to various regions to find crops based on their standards. They can use the system to communicate with cooperatives or farmers who have the quality and quantity of crops they need, as the system displays the quality and production level of available crops, location with google maps to make easy on planning logistics issues.

• This module provides off takers with visibility into crop production, including:
• Crop type and variety
• Quantity
• Quality
• Location
• The module also helps off takers to manage crop collection and logistics, warehousing i.e storage

Benefits of Using MazaoHub's Crop Sourcing and Off taking Module:

• Off takers can source high-quality crops at competitive prices.
• Off takers can reduce the risk of supply disruptions.
• Off takers can improve their efficiency and productivity.

MazaoHub also offers a number of other features that can benefit off-takers and manufacturers, including:

• Market insights: MazaoHub provides off-takers with market insights, such as price trends and demand forecasts, to help them to make informed decisions about their sourcing strategies.
• Financial services: MazaoHub partners with financial institutions to offer off-takers and farmers access to financing to support their agricultural activities.
• Training and support: MazaoHub offers training and support to off-takers and farmers to help them to use the platform effectively.
• Market Data: MazaoHub offers users real-time market data for agricultural products, providing insights into prices, volumes, and market trends. This data empowers users to make informed decisions when buying and selling agricultural products.
• Product Search: With MazaoHub, users can easily search for agricultural products by name, category, and region. This feature helps buyers locate the specific products they need while comparing prices to find the best deals.
• Supplier Directory: MazaoHub maintains a comprehensive directory of verified agricultural product suppliers. This directory aids buyers in finding reliable suppliers that align with their quality and pricing requirements.
• Request for Quotation (RFQ): Buyers can leverage MazaoHub to send RFQs to multiple suppliers simultaneously. This efficient process assists buyers in obtaining competitive prices for the products they intend to purchase.
• Purchase Order (PO) Management: MazaoHub centralizes PO management for buyers, allowing them to track the status of their orders from a single location. This feature ensures orders are fulfilled accurately and on time.
• Contract Management: Buyers can efficiently manage their contracts with suppliers using MazaoHub. This feature enables tracking of contract terms and compliance, ensuring that agreements are upheld.
• Payment Management: MazaoHub simplifies payment processes by enabling buyers to make payments to suppliers directly through the platform. This streamlines payment procedures while reducing the risk of fraud.
• Shipping Management: MazaoHub provides a comprehensive view of the shipment status for buyers. This feature helps buyers monitor the movement of their goods, ensuring timely and accurate deliveries to the intended destinations.

Currently, MazaoHub has more than 76 off-takers actively utilizing this system. These off-takers represent a diverse range of businesses and organizations involved in the agricultural value chain, such as agricultural product buyers, manufacturers, and commodity traders. By adopting MazaoHub's platform, these off-takers have gained access to a powerful suite of tools and features that enhance their operations and facilitate their interactions with farmers and suppliers.

Our achievements speak volumes about our impact:

1. We partnered with WFP Tanzania to digitize the Farm to Market Alliance (FTMA) Project, improving the livelihoods of farmers in the Southern Highlands regions. 
2. We collaborated with USAID Feed the Future to digitize the Kilimo Tija Project, enhancing agricultural practices in Tanzania.
3. We received endorsement from the Ministry of Agriculture to digitize all agricultural boards, already transforming two boards successfully.
4. We are digital partners in the "Building Better Tomorrow" youth farmers project initiative initiated by the President of Tanzania with the target to reach more than 1Million youth farmers under BBT.

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