ATI launches two digital projects to connect farmers and consumers

Addis Ababa, July 16, 2024 (FBC) – In a bid to revolutionize the agricultural sector and enhance the productivity of farmers, the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), in collaboration with Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Country Office, has launched digital market linkage platform project and an automation of input voucher system on July 16.

Dubbed the Digital Market Linkage Platform Project and Automation of Input Voucher System (e-voucher 2.0), these platforms are designed to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers of agricultural products.

The Digital Market Linkage Platform Project enables farmers to directly supply their agricultural products to buyers without any intermediaries, thereby strengthening the bond between producers and consumers. Additionally, the application provides farmers with access to current market price information, fostering price stability by allowing them to set competitive prices for their produce.

The second application, Automation Input of Voucher System (E-Voucher 2.0), streamlines the process of obtaining agricultural inputs such as soil fertilizers for farmers. By directly connecting farmers with suppliers, this application simplifies the procurement process and ensures that farmers have access to the necessary resources to enhance their productivity.

The Digital Market Linkage Platform Project can be accessed via a hotline, short text message (6077), and a website, making it convenient for users to engage with the platform. Additionally, the platform offers a vast array of market data, providing users with insights into 19 types of products in 311 markets on a weekly basis.

Currently, the application boasts 1.5 million registered user members, ensuring a broad and diverse user base. Furthermore, the platform caters to various local languages, ensuring that users can access information in a language they understand.

These innovative platforms are set to transform the agricultural sector in Ethiopia, empowering farmers and fostering a more transparent and direct relationship between producers and consumers.

By providing farmers with valuable insights into current market prices and enabling them to access agricultural inputs at affordable prices, the Developmemt and Implementation of Digital Market Linkage Platform & the Automation of eVoucher 2.0 are poised to drive growth and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the country.