Our 2015 Photo Story

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Let’s do this story!

We’ve come to the end of another year! This time around we had some ups and downs. And we think it best to give you the highlights of our blog, our web series and our colleagues, as we wish you and yours all the best for the season and happy and prosperous New year!

Do ensure this photo story!

We started the year with our usual tech topics such as robotic farming, renewable energies and bringing old techniques back into modern production. It truly is astonishing what exists out there in the world both simple and complex technologies and sciences which make agriculture interesting to us youth. But behind all of this are people…young people!

Growing out TFF community – Photo courtesy Thought for Food

In came the Thought for Food Challenge and summit where we met some of the greatest and most enthusiastic young minds in food and agriculture today. The event was truly motivating having been introduced and are still in contact with finalist teams and other participants.

Tech4agri: the podcast that failed…but it will return!

Then came a bright shining light and complete failure….well it depends on how you look at it. Tech4agri launched its very own podcast. We got some great feedback from you, our followers but reality hit, in that we just could not keep it up. When delivering our stories we want great quality and interesting content. While the podcast was great we found it difficult to find the type of content we needed while simultaneously handling our other projects. It lasted three episodes but it’s not dead it will return!

Tech4agri Team

As an entrepreneur, failure is ever present. So Tech4agri regrouped and focused on what was needed to get its long planned web series off the ground! We finally got our team together! Meet our team again!

Agri journalists of Tech4agri

We started our work in  agri journalism and got great feedback with our mini documentary Agripeople! #Motivation

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: The 2015 Online News Association Conference at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on September 25, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Petty/for ONA)

Again we were #winners having earned a fellowship to the Online News Association conference for 2015 held in Los Angeles. We were humbled to be selected as one of the best early career young digital journalists for the event. #mindblown at all the tech we learned of that can be used for journalism!

Tech4agri would not be the same without a constant update of the latest technological applications which can be found in today’s world. As we all know mobile applications lead the way in development making it’s way into every field imaginable. For developing countries this maybe a setback as although mobile phone penetration is widespread and commonplace, the network infrastructure necessary to physically utilize mobile apps may not be as up to date as it should be.

However, there is certainly no harm in being aware of what exists. In addition there are many other outlets that can be of use almost anywhere. Simple databases and other online resources such as tech4agri itself is readily available. Here is your update on what’s out there:

The Leftover swap app

Leftover Swap is an application that seeks to reduce food wastage. In many developed countries large portions of food are served at all types of food outlets. However much of it is thrown away going to wast. “The app. that is expected to launch later this month. will let users barter or give away their unwanted restaurant remainders. Users who don’t want their leftovers will snap a photo of their food and post it to the app, then anyone in the area can arrange a pick up or delivery.” At the same time it brings a social aspect to food exchange in that you are able to meet potential “food takers and food givers” through the development of a community. One major red flag that I have observed is the issue of health and food safety. Only time will tell how the creators of this app will tackle this issue.

Brand New (this month) on tech4agri

In keeping up that standard here are some new additions to the tech4agri blog!

Meet the Youth in Ag for the month! Firstly we have a friend in development, Marina Cherbonnier of France! A dedicated young professional who seeks to help many others like herself. Skilled in ICT for development, she works as one of the major organizers of the Young Professionals Platform for Agricultural Research and Development. To interact with her find her on twitter @MarinaDev or on YPARD.NET

Next we have my very good friend and colleague, Alpha Sennon of  Trinidad and Tobago! Another dedicated youth in agriculture. He is a farmer first above all else. This adds greatly to his academic background as very successful student of agribusiness and as a development advocate. I have personally worked with Alpha on the executive of Agribusiness Society of  the University of the West Indies and also on group projects in a practical, hands on setting. Visit his profile on LinkedIn

Additionally organisations Info Dev and App campus, have been added to the AGRI LINK WALL. Visit the page today for a list of useful organisations in many an agricultural endeavor both regionally (Caribbean) and internationally based. Feel free to suggest any organisations or groups that can be placed on the LiNK WALL for the benefit of all.

The “BuZZ”

Building your network over lunch! Meet an angel investor! Make a great impression for a business incubator!

Last week was a post on The Three on Top –  some of latest technologies in agriculture.

As a blog that covers many topics, tech4agri ispleased to bring to you the “NEW’ Buzz words of the entrepreneurial world. Buzz words refer to phrases that are on trend or have become popular in a given field. In that sense buzz words are short lived however they are dynamic enough to contribute to shaping an industry.

Buzz words indicate where development is heading. As such start ups or businesses that are ready for investment are advised to keep up to date on these trends which would contribute to their much needed progression.

Stemming from the The 5th Global Forum on Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship which was held in East London, South Africa, from 28 – 30 May, 2013, here are some up to date buzz words from the entrepreneurial sphere:

Angel Investors – These are wealthy individuals who provide capital for a your business start up usually in exchange for a stake in/ownership of your community. This is usually done informally therefore your business must be quite innovative and sustainable in order to generate an angel investor’s interest. At times. there are groups of these person,s as they pool resources which means even better odds of success for you and yours.

Business Incubators – According to social media powerhouse, wikipedia, these are programs designed to support the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed and orchestrated by incubator management and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts. An invaluable service it is, however your business must be on point in order to be provided with this service. Many of these outlets are available in Africa which is seeing unbelievably fast growth in business, industry and commerce.

A few weeks ago a colleague and reader of tech4agri indicated his satisfaction with the most recent blog posts. Appreciative of his comment I asked if he would like to know more about any topic in particular. He inquired ‘Do you know about Agro terrorism?’

Agroterrorism refers to a malicious attempt at destroying any agricultural environment or food system of a population through dangerous viruses and diseases. The likely hood of such an occurrence is quite real given today’s world however at the first mention of the phrase, its official definition did not come to mind.

First thoughts came along the lines of out of control agricultural conglomerates; huge companies that are so powerful in the supply of agricultural inputs and services that they completely control relevant markets making it impossible for other businesses to survive. In addition with such control those companies are not guaranteed to provide quality product as they serve masses rather than individual consumers. Furthermore consumers become price takers as there is no other supplier to buy from.

The Organic view an online educational resources shares an article on Neonicotinoids detailing this exact situation.

There has been a huge debate over the impact of Neonicotinoids, which are a class of systemic pesticides with a common mode of action that affects the central nervous system of insects, causing paralysis and death. Neonicotinoids are often applied as seed treatments. This basically means that the seeds are coated before planting occurs. Neonicotinoids also generate billions of dollars for the agro-chemical companies that manufacture these chemicals and are available not only for agricultural applications but also can be found in a myriad of garden products available all over the world.

Thankfully this situation ended favorably as the pesticide was in fact banned for use in the EU, effectively causing several conglomerates to lose control and cease the application of this pesticide which is harmful to bees. Not only do large businesses practice these tactics but so could any in authority as this article exemplifies.

One of the major problems that faces Caribbean agriculture deals with the level of technological application. Not to be mistaken there are many entrepreneurs and small farmers in this region that are up to date with the necessary tech. For instance farm equipment technology and the technical know-how to ensure maintenance is widespread (despite high cots). Agro economy and agri science is are also very present in the region. However social media and other ICT technologies are not.

Readers, let me introduce you to Isaac Holdings Limited (IHL) a Modern Agriculture, Outdoor Maintenance & Estate Management Brand owned and operated by Atkin and Arvin Isaac, agri entrepreneurs from my home country Trinidad.

These innovators have enacted upon the Online Farming Concept with great results. Consumers are able to choose a vegetable crop and manage its development via social media. By selecting a ‘bundle’ all inputs such as seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, record keeping, labour and of course the land resource is included in a small investment. Via one on one service consumers can make that investment and monitor its progress online without ever having to leave their home or workplace.