Project Summary
AgriSmart Zanzibar is a groundbreaking digital agriculture initiative designed to empower smallholder farmers in Zanzibar with cutting-edge digital tools, real-time data, and smart farming practices. The project bridges traditional knowledge with modern innovation to boost productivity, ensure food security, and promote climate-smart agriculture in one of East Africa’s most agriculturally rich but under-resourced regions.
Vision
To create a digitally empowered farming ecosystem in Zanzibar that is resilient, data-driven, and economically sustainable by 2030.
Objectives
- 1. Digital Empowerment: Provide 5,000+ farmers with access to a mobile app offering weather forecasts, market prices, pest alerts, and agronomic advice in Kiswahili and English.
- 2. Smart Data Systems: Launch a GIS-based dashboard for real-time farm analytics and remote monitoring.
- 3. Agri-Education & Training: Conduct community-based digital literacy programs and workshops on climate-smart farming techniques.
- 4. Market Access: Connect farmers to buyers, cooperatives, and agri-financiers via a mobile B2B marketplace.
- 5 .Sustainability & Scale: Establish a farmer-led digital cooperative to manage tools long-term.
Key Features of AgriSmart App
- Live Weather Alerts (localized to island zones)
- Real-Time Market Prices (vegetables, spices, fruits)
- AI-Powered Pest & Disease Diagnostic Tool.
- Crop Calendar & Smart Irrigation Tips.
- Video Tutorials & Farmer Forums.
- Marketplace Integration for buying/selling.
Implementation Phases
|
Phase |
Description |
Timeline |
|
Phase 1 |
Stakeholder Engagement & App Development |
Month 1–4 |
|
Phase 2 |
Pilot Launch in 3 Districts (Unguja & Pemba) |
Month 5–7 |
|
Phase 3 |
Training & Digital Literacy Campaign |
Month 8–12 |
|
Phase 4 |
Scale-Up to All 11 Districts |
Month 13–18 |
|
Phase 5 |
Evaluation, Reporting & Handover to Local Cooperatives |
Month 19–24 |
Budget Breakdown (24-Month Project Timeline)
|
Category |
Cost (USD) |
|
Technology Development |
|
|
- Mobile App (Android/iOS) |
$35,000 |
|
- Dashboard & Data Backend |
$20,000 |
|
- Server & Cloud Hosting (2 yrs) |
$10,000 |
|
Training & Capacity Building |
|
|
- Digital Literacy Workshops |
$15,000 |
|
- Training Videos & Content Dev |
$5,000 |
|
- Local Trainers & Facilitators |
$12,000 |
|
Pilot & Scaling Operations |
|
|
- Devices for Farmers (subsidized smartphones/tablets) |
$40,000 |
|
- Transport & Field Logistics |
$10,000 |
|
- Monitoring & Evaluation |
$8,000 |
|
Marketing & Community Outreach |
|
|
- Radio, Posters, SMS Campaigns |
$5,000 |
|
- Farmer Cooperative Setup |
$5,000 |
|
Personnel |
|
|
- Project Manager (24 months) |
$24,000 |
|
- Technical Developer (Contract) |
$18,000 |
|
- Local Field Officers (x3) |
$21,600 |
|
Contingency (10%) |
$22,660 |
|
Total Estimated Budget |
$248,260 |
Partners & Stakeholders
- Zanzibar Ministry of Agriculture.
- Local Farmer Cooperatives.
- ICT for Development NGOs.
- International Donors (FAO, IFAD, GIZ)
- Private Sector (Telecoms, Fintech)
Sustainability Plan
- Farmer subscription model for premium services ($0.50/month)
- Revenue-sharing from marketplace transactions.
- Capacity-building for local tech teams.
- Partnership with universities for research & app updates.
Expected Impact
- +30% yield increase among digitally supported farmers.
- 50% reduction in post-harvest losses.
- 75% of users report improved market access.
- 2,000 women and youth trained in agri-digital skills.