Sri Lanka links dairy farmers through mobile phone

Nov 17, 2009 (LBO) - Sri Lanka is to launch a programme that will use mobile phones to help dairy farmers, a government official said.







Chitranganie Mubarak, Senior Programme Head - e-Society, of the Information Communications Technology Agency (ICTA), said the 'e-Dairy project' is part of the agency's 'e-Society programme' to take the benefits of ICT to all sections of society.

"Livestock is one area that needs more regular input than others - farmers need to tend to animals on a daily basis.

You've a lot more do with animals than plants."

She told a public forum that a portal is being developed for dairy farmers with simple access in which information is available through touch screen computers at places where farmers gather such as collection points or where they buy feed.

The forum was organised by the Pathfinder Foundation under its 'Sanvada' (dialogue) programme to focus on policy recommendations for enhancing productivity and competitiveness of agribusiness.

"Also it has an SMS (short message service) interface where through short codes farmers can for instance contact a vet for support.

"For example, a re