Farmers Embark on New Digital Platforms

Jul 21 , 2024


New platforms were launched to connect smallholder farmers with potential buyers and improve the distribution of agricultural inputs, ensuring efficient and transparent delivery of fertilisers, improved seeds, and chemicals. Dubbed the Automation of the Input Voucher System and the development and implementation of a Digital Market Linkage Platform, the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) partnered with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to avail the products. ATI has reached about four million smallholder farmers, delivered over 340 strategic studies, and implemented over 50 projects. Yihenew Zewde, AGRA's Country Director highlighted the importance of supporting the entire agricultural value chain. He said the E-voucher is an upgraded digital system that reaches 9.5 million smallholder farmers by cutting costs and removing middlemen. Nearly half a million quintals of fertiliser, improved seeds, and agrochemicals, were given to 242,000 farmers in Amhara Regional State while receiving 1.15 billion Br in input loans, according to him. They plan to reach 590 woredas across Oromia, Amhara, Tigray and Southern regional states.


Radar

Tech Ministry Falters as Audits Expose Mismanagement, Unmet Ambitions

The Ministry of Innovation & Technology is under scrutiny after an audit revealed lapses in project management and financial oversight. This raised questions about governance standards within a Ministry central to the country's tech-driven growth ambitions. According to the Federal Auditor General, the Ministry has completed only 11pc of its planned projects with its overall financial administration standing at 37.4pc for a year-long project that commenced in 2022. Budget mismanagement an...


Radar

Central Bank Keeps Lending Lid Tight as Inflation Squeezes Economy

The Central Bank has reaffirmed its decision to maintain an 18pc cap on credit growth, reinforcing a commitment to tighter monetary policy during persistent inflation and economic uncertainty. The National Bank of Ethiopia's (NBE) monetary policy committee cited ongoing concerns over inflation, which stood at 19.9pc year-on-year (YoY), and liquidity imbalances as reasons to uphold the restriction on lending. Bankers and analysts interpret this move as evidence of regulators' determination to...


Radar

Ethio Telecom Expands Services with DStv Streaming

Ethio telecom enters the entertainment pool with bundled DStv streaming services through high-speed broadband internet and mobile data packages. The partnership with MultiChoice Ethiopia aspires to merge the telecom's fiber broadband and mobile network with DStv's content. Subscribers can access DStv channels through mobile data or fiber broadband bundles, with discounts of up to 35pc through Telebirr or My Ethiotel (*999#) and up to 26.5pc at sales centers for fiber broadband bundles. Acc...