By ANNIE NJANJA
In Summary
Telecoms giant Safaricom
is betting on farmers in rural areas to generate traffic on its
Internet infrastructure whose upgrade seeks to ease their access to
markets.
The telco said yesterday it would channel a portion of its
annual Sh32 billion capital expenditure to improving Internet access in
the rural areas with an aim of hitting 80 per cent 3G mobile network
coverage across the country.
The telco has earmarked 23,000 public primary
schools for Internet connection a move expected to help bring on board
rural homes and businesses.
Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore made the announcement at the ongoing Africa Green Revolution Forum.
Safaricom chief executive Bob Collymore made the announcement at the ongoing Africa Green Revolution Forum.
“Such efforts are critical in advancing an
agricultural renaissance as it will allow the building of Internet
platforms that can foster research and farm-to-market linkages for
contemporary farmers,” he said, adding that access to the Internet and
mobile value added services, including mobile banking solutions, would
promote market access as farmers could seize local and international
opportunities.
Mr Collymore said there was a need for the private
sector to develop and incorporate innovations that boost agricultural
production to guarantee food security and boost the agricultural sector.
“Solving the future challenge of producing more with less in a more
sustainable manner is not mission impossible.
“The private sector can lead from the front by
setting aside more resources for research and innovation. For Africa to
become the world’s bread basket, we must look at how to create
agribusiness not just agriculture,” said Mr Collymore.
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