Connected-Farmers

Introduction
from Andrew Dunnett,
Director, Vodafone
Foundation
The Vodafone Foundation invests in the communities in which
Vodafone operates, using innovative mobile technology to
mobilise social change and to improve people’s lives.
Mobile technology can play an important role in efforts to end
hunger and poverty in rural communities in emerging markets.
It can give small farmers new tools to increase efficiency
and productivity and provide access, even in remote rural
communities, to the information, financial services and markets
that farmers need to increase their income. The impact on
livelihoods can be significant, helping to improve the prospects
of farmers and their families.
This report explores a number of innovative mobile solutions
for agriculture and assesses what the benefit to farmers,
economies and wider society would be if these solutions were
taken to scale in India – a country experiencing rapid economic
development but where rural communities still suffer high
levels of poverty and malnourishment.
To realise the full potential of mobile services for agriculture, a
wide range of partners need to work together to create change.
In developing this publication we have sought the views of many
different organisations working in the areas of mobile, agriculture
and development. We hope that by sharing these insights and
the lessons learnt so far, we can contribute to further expansion
and innovation in mobile agriculture services, enabling more
smallholder farmers to improve their productivity and livelihoods
and creating positive change for rural communities.
Summary of methodology
This report includes a summary of research conducted by
Accenture Sustainability Services.
Accenture modelled the potential social, economic and
environmental impact for six types of mobile agriculture service.
It analysed data on the current penetration and growth rates
of existing mobile services for agriculture provided by the
Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Group companies and
third-party organisations.
The opportunity for rolling out these types of services at scale
in India over the period from 2015 to 2020 was explored and
the potential impact this would have on farmer livelihoods
was estimated. This calculation of livelihood benefits did not
incorporate the costs of any service fees charged.
The service opportunities modelled are:
Field audit
Enabling access to local markets
Smartphone-enabled services
In conducting its research, Accenture interviewed a wide range
of stakeholders working in agriculture and mobile services,
including representatives from multilateral organisations,
governments, funding organisations, NGOs, mobile services
providers, the financial services sector and businesses sourcing
agricultural produce from emerging markets.
For a list of contributors and stakeholders see Appendix 1,
page 38. Further information on Accenture’s methodology for
modelling is included in Appendix 2, page 40.
Information services
Receipt services
Payments and loans
2 Vodafone Connected Farming in India