Save My Grandmother : A call for Climate Change due to unsustainable farming practices

Do not quench my hope, do not break my spirit. Do not pray for my downfall, for if only you knew where I came from, you would show me compassion. I have endured suffering enough to be here. There are siblings of mine who have perished due to poverty. Hold my hand. Join me to bring about change together.

The journey of the MazaoHub Climate Farm Management Software is a story of my grandmother, titled "Save My Grandmother."

I don't know what kind of family you grew up in, whether in Africa or beyond. My mother was a poor farmer, yet she managed to cover all my school fees through farming. She gained popularity in a village called Chanji, Sumbawanga for brewing a local alcoholic drink known as "Komoni" in Swahili. It's a mixture of maize porridge, processed and fermented for about three days or more. She sold this drink to pay for my education.

Due to prolonged cooking over firewood, the smoke led to a lung disease that took her life. I was left with my grandmother. My grandmother was always a farm person. We would go to the fields, dig for potatoes. The struggles of being a small-scale farmer without success are the hardships many African farmers continue to face even today. We farmed without agricultural guidance. Sometimes, when we asked for help from agricultural officers, they wouldn't come. We jokingly called our agricultural officer "Bibi Shamba" (Farm Lady) because she was a woman. She couldn't adequately serve us. She did what she could, but most of the time, we worked on our own. And she was not wrong, how can one extension officer manage more than 3000 smallholder farmers manually?

We mixed fertilizers without proper guidance. We cleared forests to make space for farming. Often, our crops dried up or got spoiled before they could mature. I can't forget the money we lost during those times.

During the rainy season, we anticipated consistent rainfall, but sometimes it just stopped. All the corn we planted withered. Imagine if we had access to weather information.

Sometimes, we used the wrong fertilizers or the wrong seeds. Sometimes, even after harvesting, we were exploited by middlemen. I used to ride my bicycle for more than 90 kilometers to reach customers. Sometimes, I carried maize on my head to sell, but found no buyers. I returned home on foot, having earned nothing. This is why I repeat: Do not quench my hope, do not break my spirit, my friend. Do not wish ill upon me, because if you knew where I came from, you would show me compassion.

I struggled to complete university education, yet my passion for farming persisted. Farmers are forgotten beings. This drove me to establish MazaoHub along with my partners. Many farmers practice trial and error due to the lack of agronomic support. One extension officer is responsible for supervising over 3000 smallholder farmers manually. Many are left unsupported, leading to unsustainable farming practices, soil depletion, environmental degradation, climate change acceleration, low productivity, post-harvest losses, market and financial struggles, and much more. The challenges are numerous. This must change.

MazaoHub Farming System has been created to tackle these issues. It offers Climate Farm Management Software as a service, allowing farmers and all agricultural stakeholders to manage daily operations. This includes field mapping, customized soil analysis, and tailored agronomy services using AI based on field conditions, crops, weather, and climate. The platform provides farm analytics, records, traceability, financial reports, and control over farm operations for all stakeholders from agro dealers to off-takers.

Our platform is integrated with soil sensors, enabling our AI technology to provide personalized agronomic advice, like recommending fertilizers or pesticides based on a farmer's situation. We are also testing meteor sensors to provide real-time weather data. The app offers various services, such as farm management and financial reporting software, connecting extension officers, agro dealers, off-takers, and farmers, creating an integrated ecosystem.

With MazaoHub's Climate Farm Management Software, every farmer can now have a digital ally by their side. Imagine having the ability to make informed decisions about planting, fertilizing, and harvesting based on real-time data and expert recommendations. No more shooting in the dark, no more unnecessary losses.

Gone are the days of wandering from one agro dealer to another, hoping to stumble upon the right fertilizer or pesticide. Our platform suggests precisely what your farm needs, when it needs it. It's like having a seasoned agronomist right there with you, guiding you every step of the way by following Good Agricultural Practices.

MazaoHub is more than just technology. It's a community, a network of support that brings together farmers, extension officers, agro dealers, Cooperatives, off-takers, banks and insurance. Through this digital ecosystem, knowledge is shared, experiences are exchanged, and collaborations are born. Extension officers no longer have to stretch themselves thin trying to reach every farmer – they can provide guidance remotely, right through the platform. Agro dealers can better understand the needs of their customers, ensuring they provide the right solutions. Off-takers can plan ahead, knowing what to expect from the harvest with traceability.

With data-driven insights, sustainable practices, and a united community, farmers can break free from the cycle of uncertainty. They can reclaim control over their farms, their livelihoods, and their dreams.

So, my friend, let us not lose hope. Let us not be disheartened. Instead, let us stand together, hand in hand, as a force for change. Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us, who toiled the land with sweat and determination. Let us embrace technology as a tool to transform the future of farming.

Partner with me and my team: +255655973248 or [email protected]

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