A South African technology company has launched a farming platform that helps small and emerging farmers manage their water use and soil health more effectively – without replacing their existing irrigation equipment.
MyBitSecure’s SmartFarm platform uses small sensors that clip onto a farmer’s existing irrigation pipes and fittings. The sensors monitor soil conditions and water flow, sending the information to a simple online screen where farmers can see what is happening on their farm at any time, from anywhere.
The platform was developed with emerging farmers and farming co-operatives specifically in mind.
“Soil health is the foundation of food security and for too long, the intelligence needed to protect it has remained out of reach for the farms and communities that need it most. The MBS SmartFarm Platform changes that. What we are bringing is a contribution to the long-term resilience of food systems across this continent, backed by evidence, built for African conditions, and designed to serve the people who feed us,” said Tandi Rouse, co-founder and director of MyBitSecure Technologies (Pty) Ltd.
After a successful three-month pilot that showed improvements in both soil health and water management, the platform has now been fully launched.
For farmers in areas where water is scarce or soil quality is a challenge, SmartFarm offers a practical way to get more from existing resources – and to make better farming decisions based on real information rather than guesswork.
For more information, visit MyBitSecure’s website: https://mybitsecure.com/mbs-smartfarm-platform/
Sources: MyBitSecure and Disrupt Africa
