Indian mobile operator Airtel plans to offer about 250,000 small-scale farmers in Kenya agricultural information and tips through their mobile phones.

The mobile operator has been awarded a $400,000 grant by the GSMA Development Fund to roll out ‘Sauti ya Mkulima’ (Swahili for Voice of the Farmer), an initiative that could help farmers increase their yields and earnings by giving them access to agriculture-related information, advice and research.

Sauti ya Mkulima will target small-holder farmers who grow maize, banana, mango, rice, beans and horticulture crops. Airtel plans to replicate the initiative in all its 17 markets across Africa.

The project will address the biggest challenge farmers face, access to relevant information.

“Our Sauti ya Mkulima project will provide small-holder farmers with access to quality content, information and know-how on agriculture-related activities. Gaining access to this information will be immensely beneficial to the farmers whose livelihoods are dependent on their yield,” said Airtel Kenya managing director, Shivan Bhargava.

Airtel will build a database of content together with the Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI), an inter-governmental not-for-profit organisation and Kilimo Media, a radio-based information provider.

Sauti ya Mkulima will also create a farmer community which will link farmers and build a platform for sharing ideas, experiences and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

“We recognise innovative telecommunications solutions have the power to transform communities. This initiative is a solid testament to what partnerships that harness relevant consumer needs can achieve in overcoming daily challenges. We are excited and thankful to the partners involved in birthing this initiative,” said Bhargava.

The GSMA has funded the program through its mFarmer initiative which is supported by USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The mFarmer initiative uses mobile phone networks to provide farmers in developing countries with agricultural information.