Women living in poor rural communities have a higher risk of maternal mortality. An astounding 99 percent of maternal deaths take place in developing countries. More than half of these victims lived in sub-Saharan Africa and one-third lived in South Asia.
The number one cause of death for adolescent females in developing countries is complication in reproduction. The risk of death is higher in girls of the age 15 years and younger. Their country’s health systems often fail to provide adequate health services to survive pregnancy and childbirth.
An estimated 75 percent of maternal deaths are caused by:
- High blood pressure: during pregnancy preeclampsia should be detected and can be remedied with magnesium sulfate.
- Infections: when recognized in a timely manner, they can be treated, and good hygiene following childbirth can prevent it.
- Excessive bleeding after childbirth can kill a healthy woman in a matter of hours. To reduce this risk, oxytocin is injected immediately after birth.
- Diseases such as malaria and AIDS (during pregnancy) account for all other maternal deaths.
Poor Health Systems
In developed countries, it is typical for women to have at least four prenatal care visits. Postpartum care is also recommended and received by high-income countries. Unfortunately for millions of poor mothers, there is no access to skilled providers to help them.
The lack of access to health workers can be due to lack of information or an issue of distance. At times, cultural practices prevent women from getting the care they need, and most often the nearest health facility is in another community.
The World Health Organization is contributing to the Global Strategy to improve health for women and children. Their goal is to ensure access to a better health system with effective treatments, trained health workers, and health coverage programs. Without access to quality health care during these critical times of development, this is another way in how poverty affects pregnancy.
Food Insecurity Impacts Female Health
Food insecurity is another way in which poverty affects pregnancy. Creating a new life requires a lot of energy from a woman’s body. This is why women facing food insecurity are at risk of health problems. A poor diet can cause:
- gestational diabetes
- iron deficiency (the mother becomes anemic)
- low birth weight.
If women do not intake the appropriate amount of nutrients, the baby will take the vitamins and minerals from their mother’s body. This weakens a woman’s immune system which is needed to fight off disease and infection.
The Importance of Nutrition for Child Development
A healthy diet when creating a new life is consuming 1,800 calories a day in the first trimester, 2,200 in the second trimester and 2,400 in the third trimester. Essential nutrients include:
- calcium for healthy growth
- iron for a baby’s blood supply and
- folic acid, which reduces the risk of spina bifida and anencephaly (a brain defect).
Without proper nourishment, a child will suffer from chronic malnutrition. This leads to impaired brain development, a weakened immune system and shorter stature. This could mean that some children will be unable to complete schooling. This is yet another factor in how poverty affects pregnancy.
The USAID study shows that girls with stunted growth have their firstborn at approximately four years younger than non-stunted girls. Additionally, these girls who are not fully developed to give birth to a child contribute to the maternal death rate.
It does not stop there. UNICEF estimates the under-performance of these victims will cost their generation’s global economy $125 billion. The five countries where nearly half the population of children under age five are chronically malnourished include Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Eritrea, Burundi and Timor-Leste.
Overall, without access to a proper health system or proper nutrition, studies indicate the negative ways in how poverty can affect pregnancy. The health of a pregnant woman is vital for childbirth. Prenatal malnutrition stunts the development of children’s bodies and minds. Children can find themselves with learning challenges. This sets generations back from reaching their full potential to advance their communities, fueling the cycle of poverty.
-Crystal Tabares
Photo: Flickr
10 Things to Know About the Crisis in Venezuela
10 Things to Know About the Crisis in Venezuela
The crisis in Venezuela is worsening by the day. There are countless people being forced to leave their homes, jobs and families in hopes of finding a safer place to live. While the country awaits political intervention and foreign aid, there are still ways for people overseas to give help. Many nonprofit organizations, including The Better World Campaign, are doing their part in helping the humanitarian crisis. These groups are always looking for volunteers and donations. Spreading the word about the situation in Venezuela, raising awareness and mobilizing others to donate is also a great way to help, even from afar.
– Charlotte Kriftcher
Photo: Flickr
Bringing Economic Relief to Angola
Angola is beginning to achieve financial stability after failing to recover from their 2014 oil crisis. Angola relies on oil as it generates 80 percent of the government’s revenue. President Joao Lourenco, of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola party, rose to power in 2017 and has since made efforts to tighten monetary policy, improve the business environment and reduce debt in order to bring economic relief to Angola.
Poverty and the Oil Industry
A 2014 oil price drop created high inflation rates, crippled the banking sector and resulted in foreign investors pulling out of Angola, a country where more than one-third of the population lives in poverty. Oil also accounts for more than 90 percent of exports, which only made matters worse for a country over-reliant on oil. Though corruption has marred the past Angolan presidency, the current president, Joao Lourenco, is seeking a more democratized government to bring economic relief to Angola. He is also pursuing stability in their currency, the kwanza, which has gone down 40 percent in value since last year.
Industry accounts for more than 60 percent of Angola’s GDP. Industry includes petroleum, diamonds, iron, cement, gold, uranium, tobacco products, sugar and textiles. Privatizing petroleum would welcome outside investors that were reluctant to invest in a country that has a government-owned oil industry. Privatization brings Angola one step closer to gaining foreign investors.
Economic Distribution
The elite owns the majority of Angola’s wealth, but now there’s a shift toward distributing the wealth by reducing the power of these political leaders, a power that was held by their positions of ownership in the petroleum industry. Corruption is being dealt with thanks to President Lourenco, which has been an important move in bringing economic relief to Angola.
More than one-third of Angolans are living in poverty. They would benefit from the money being distributed to the poor. A country that is ranked seventh in crude oil exports and is labeled as oil-rich has the capacity to bring all its inhabitants out of poverty. The first step is targeting corruption by the state-owned petroleum company, Sonangol and the political leaders that benefit from the government’s involvement in the oil company. Lourenco’s Macroeconomic Stabilization Program addresses these issues so that the wealth will be more proportionate.
External Aid to Angola
Under Lourenco’s Macroeconomic Stabilization Program, new policies were established for pricing natural gases and an independent regulator was created to manage oil and gas concessions. In December, the China Development Bank granted a $2 billion loan for Sonangol to build a refinery that will reduce reliance on fuel imports.
Angola also received a $3.7 trillion credit from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that same month. The credit from the IMF was approved to support Angola’s efforts in transitioning the oil industry from government-led to being private sector controlled. It will also help return financial stability by reducing government debt. At the moment, Angola’s debt is around $80 billion despite being the third strongest economy in Africa.
Many state-owned Angolan companies are privatizing or are being liquated as part of Lourenco’s initiative to improve the business environment and reduce debt. Two new laws have already been approved that will encourage new companies to enter the Angolan market. The private investment law and the antitrust law both remove barriers to providing outside investment, furthering economic relief to Angola.
Looking To the Future
The World Bank estimates Angola’s GDP will rise to 2.9 percent in 2019. For reference, in 2017, the GDP was negative 2.5 percent. Under President Lourenco, Angola is welcoming the private sector and foreign investment, both of which may result in a better distribution of wealth among the poverty-stricken country. Angola’s economy is improving and with improvement comes the opportunity for investment in not just the oil sector but also in agriculture, tourism and other natural resource mining, bringing economic relief to Angola.
Photo: Flickr
MSF in Yemen: Helping Amid Conflict
Instability continues to plague Yemen, exposing almost 20 million people to food insecurity and more than one million to cholera. The damage is evident in Yemen’s weak healthcare system, which leaves millions of people vulnerable. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, is an organization that provides healthcare for people affected by conflict and poverty. Though warfare complicates operations on the ground, MSF in Yemen is not giving up.
The Challenges of Aid in Yemen
In 2018, an airstrike destroyed a newly built cholera treatment center. Fortunately, there were no patients or workers present at the time, but the vital project had to be put on pause until repairs and reconstruction could begin. Events like this threaten the effectiveness of MSF in Yemen and risk the lives of the 16 million people who lack basic healthcare.
MSF also runs 12 healthcare centers of its own in addition to the 20 hospitals the organization supports. Its operations have treated more than 1.6 million people suffering from injuries, disease and chronic illnesses. MSF’s activities in Yemen take place in a constantly changing and dangerous environment. Since 2015, constant fighting between various militant groups has damaged countless Yemeni health facilities, leaving only half fully functioning. Many hospitals and health facilities in the areas have closed down because of safety concerns or because they cannot pay workers.
MSF in Yemen
The facility that was destroyed was one of many new treatment centers responding to the cholera outbreak. Cholera is a serious issue in Yemen and has killed 2,184 people since April 2017. Because of the violence, almost 16 million Yemenis have suffered from reduced access to clean water and sanitation, which increases their vulnerability to cholera. MSF quickly reacted to the outbreak by opening 37 treatment centers and oral rehydration points. In just six months after the breakout, MSF admitted more than 100,000 cholera patients. While the threat of cholera has decreased since 2017, treatment centers remain a vital safe haven for those afflicted.
MSF responded to another issue caused by the lack of healthcare facilities: pregnancy. In 2017, MSF in Yemen helped 7,900 women deliver their babies. Pregnant mothers are especially vulnerable because they lack access to clinics. Even when there is a health facility nearby, traveling may be too dangerous or time-consuming. Consequently, mothers give birth at home, which exposes them to health risks. Many pregnant women also don’t have access to prenatal care and can have preventable but fatal complications.
Treatment Centers In Yemen
MSF in Yemen dealt with the re-emergence of diphtheria in 2017. The organization acted quickly by opening up a treatment center in Ibb where 70 percent of cases were concentrated. MSF treated around 400 patients that year alone. As successful as that operation was, others remain an issue, like renal failure. Multiple renal failure treatment centers have been forced to close due to the conflict. Many facilities are under-equipped and some 4,000 patients are still left untreated.
Treatment centers are often too far, or treatment itself is too expensive. Patients require three dialysis sessions a week, so many will reduce the number of treatments to lower the cost. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous and ineffective in treating renal failure. MSF responded to the crisis and has helped more than 800 patients by offering 83,000 dialysis treatments and importing 800 tons of supplies.
More than 20 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian assistance, facing hunger, disease and displacement. MSF continues to provide aid through one of its largest programs in the world. Since 1986, MSF in Yemen has been compensating for the lack of effective healthcare, even amid the conflict.
Photo: Flickr
Remittances in the Arab World
The Arab world has one of the highest proportions of migrant to local workers in the world, with over 32 million migrant workers in the Arab states in 2015 alone. In addition, the region has one of the largest diasporas in the world. This means that many skilled workers are emigrating to wealthier countries and sending money home via remittances. But what do remittances in the Arab World mean for the region and its inhabitants?
Brain Drain vs. Gain
In Lebanon and Jordan, unskilled labor is provided by growing numbers of refugees and foreign workers, totaling over five million in 2015. However, as more foreign workers enter the country, growing numbers of high-skilled Lebanese and Jordanian nationals are emigrating. This often occurs when opportunities are limited, when unemployment is high and economic growth slows. The phenomenon is dubbed ‘brain drain’ as opposed to ‘brain gain’, whereby an increasing stock of human capital boosts economies. A drain occurs while poor countries lose their most high-skilled workers and wealthier countries in turn gain these educated professionals.
Remittances in the Arab World
These expatriates commonly work to improve their own living situations while also helping to support their friends and families. This is where remittances come into play. As defined by the Migration Data Portal, remittances are financial or in-kind transfers made by migrants to friends and relatives in their communities of origin. Remittances often exceed official development aid. They are also frequently more effective in alleviating poverty. In 2014 alone, the Arab states remitted more than $109 billion, largely from the United States followed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
There is no denying that remittances can be a strong driving force for the socioeconomic stability of many Arab countries. But not all the influences are positive. Some experts argue that remittances can actually hurt the development of recipient countries. Their arguments cite potential negative effects of labor mobility and over-reliance on remittances. They emphasize that this can create dependency which undermines recipients’ incentive to find work. All this means an overall slowing of economic growth and a perpetuation of current socioeconomic status.
The Force of the Diaspora
The link between remittances in the Arab world and poverty is clear. Brain drain perpetuates and high amounts of remittance inflow and outflow persist if living conditions remain unchanged. Policymakers are therefore focusing efforts on enticing emigrants to return to their countries of origin. By strengthening ties with migrant networks, and implementing strategies like entrepreneurial start-up incentives and talent plans, the initial negative effects of brain drain could be curbed.
Overall, though brain drain and remittances can seem to hurt development in the short-term, if policies can draw high-skilled workers back, contributions to long-term economic development can erase these negative aspects altogether. Young populations that have emigrated to more developed countries acquire education and valuable experience that is essential to promote entrepreneurship in their home countries. Moreover, their experiences in advanced democracies can bolster their contribution to improved governance in their countries of origin. The Arab world’s greatest untapped potential is its diaspora, and it could be the key to a more prosperous future, if only it can be harnessed.
– Natalie Marie Abdou
Photo: Flickr
Five Resilient Women in Rwanda
Only 25 years since the Rwandan Genocide, many women in Rwanda are still recovering from loss, hardship and trauma. Militants raped between 250,000 to 500,000 women during the genocide and many who survived lost friends, family and community. Determined to raise up their communities after a period of national devastation, here are five resilient women in Rwanda who inspire and create change for the present and the future of Rwanda.
Five Resilient Women in Rwanda
Christelle Kwizera graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma Christian University, where she researched purifying water via ozone. Now Christelle is the managing director of Water Access Rwanda, whose mission is to provide clean, affordable and reliable water sources to combat water security. Operating since 2014, Water Access Rwanda provided access to clean water to more than 132,000 people, schools, businesses and farms throughout not only Rwanda but also within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Uganda.
Elise Rida Musomandera lost both of her parents at an early age. This dramatically shaped her life and fed her determination to combat hunger, empower women and youth and support survivors of genocide and individuals with AIDS. In 2014, Elise founded Isano Women and Youth Empowerment. Elise is the CEO of her nonprofit organization and leads the fight against poverty, promotes peace, protects the environment and empowers others through education.
At only 8 years old, Safi Umukundwa became a survivor and orphan of genocide. On account of her resiliency and dedication, she excelled in secondary school. She ultimately received funding for university education and inspired the name of the nonprofit, Safi Life, where she serves as the county director of Rwanda. Safi Life works to promote female advancement in Africa through awarding university scholarships and funding education for women, which additionally combats domestic abuse and poverty. As a result, Safi works to build up and inspire the next generation of strong and resilient women in Rwanda.
Salaama Numukobwa is a mother, activist and inspiration. Since 2011, she served her community through volunteer work. Salaama is now the community facilitator of Mind Leaps in Rwanda. Mind Leaps is a nonprofit organization that works with vulnerable and at-risk youth through dance, increasing cognitive and social-emotional development. Seventy percent of students who completed Mind Leaps’ dance program in Rwanda performed within the top 20 percent of their classes in 2017.
Solange Impanoyimana was only 11 years old when the Rwandan genocide left her to provide for herself. Committed to furthering her education, she achieved her bachelor’s degree and went on to co-found Resonate. Resonate is a nonprofit that provides girls and women leadership workshops to cultivate skills and increase confidence through storytelling, professional development and action leadership programs. In 2017, 36 percent of participants started businesses, 60 percent fill leadership roles and 43 percent have secured employment, promotions or academic opportunities.
Only a quarter-decade after the dark stain of hatred and genocide affected Rwanda, Christelle, Elise, Safi, Salaama and Solange shine their light on the future of their country. These courageous women are the epitome of strength and represent millions of resilient women in Rwanda.
– Keeley Griego
Photo: Flickr
Organizations Building More Schools for Sierra Leone
School Attendance Rates
Since the civil war, Sierra Leone has made great efforts in rebuilding destroyed, abandoned and damaged schools, but most schools are still in need of repairs. Furthermore, many schools lack sufficient learning materials or qualified teachers. However, Sierra Leone has seen an impressive percentage increase in primary school enrollment. Nearly 100 percent of both boys and girls attend primary school. There is only a 2 percent difference between boys and girls completing their education, boys at 69 percent, and girls at 67.
Although primary school attendance rates have continued to increase, school dropout rates for both boys and girls is an alarming concern. When it comes to secondary school, the numbers drop to 57 percent of both boys and girls attend lower secondary school. Unfortunately, that number drops even further to 29 percent for boys and 26 percent for girls when it comes to enrolling in upper secondary school. There is a 53 percent drop out rate of both boys and girls. There is even a bigger disparity in attendance rates and completion rates for both girls and boys in rural areas of Sierra Leone because of the lack of access to schooling.
Since 60 percent of people in Sierra Leone live under the poverty line, it makes it difficult for many households to afford school for their children. It was reported, in the 2015 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis, that 35 percent of households don’t enroll their children in school due to lack of funds and about 28 percent don’t have a functioning school in their village or community. Building more schools for Sierra Leone, especially in rural areas, is important and vital for the future of the people and the country.
Organizations Making a Change
SOS Children’s Villages provides various programs to make sure that children have access to quality education and training to prepare them to become independent adults. Some of the things the programs have created and supported are improving child-centered quality education, creating inclusive learning environments, working with communities and authorities to build schools as well as providing speech therapy and after-school tutoring, mentoring and coaching for the youth. SOS Children’s Villages also runs the schools that it has established and built in order to ensure quality education. About 3,000 students have benefited from the organizations’ schools and programs in Sierra Leone.
In 2005, Schools for Salone began its mission to provide quality education to the people of Sierra Leone. Since 2005, the organization has built 22 primary school buildings and three school libraries. These facilities serve more than 6,500 children across Sierra Leone. Schools for Salone has also provided training opportunities for more than 150 teachers. Its main missions are to build schools, keep boys and girls in school and provide scholarship opportunities for the children of Sierra Leone.
The civil war in Sierra Leone had many repercussions and has affected all of the country’s sectors; however, it is most apparent in its education sector. Organizations such as SOS Children’s Villages and Schools for Salone have decided to help improve the education sector of the country. More schools for Sierra Leone could mean a brighter future for the country’s education sector, but more importantly, a brighter future for the children of Sierra Leone.
– Jocelyn Aguilar
Photo: Flickr
Credit Access in Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s Reliance on Remittances
Due to Tajikistan’s limited employment opportunities, about 90 percent of Tajiks travel out of the country for work. They often travel to the Russian Federation in search of employment. Many migrant workers send remittances back to their friends and family in Tajikistan. More than 60 percent of Tajik households reported that half of their income comes from remittances with 30 percent of Tajik households reporting that 100 percent of their income comes from remittances.
A 2010 Labor Organization study reported on how Tajik households save their income and remittances. The study found that only 23 percent of people were able to save their remittances with only 9 percent able to save at a partial amount of 21 to 40 percent of the money. When the money can be saved, it is not often for long. In fact, only 11 percent of the people were able to save their remittances for more than six months.
Income savings did slightly better. At least 63 percent reported being able to save part of their income. For example, 51 percent saved about 20 percent of their income. However, only 3 percent could save between 41-60 percent of their income. Since remittances are the main source of income in many Tajik households, money is spent on immediate needs, which results in low percentages in income saving.
Credit Access in Tajikistan
According to a 2010 International Labor Organization study, 95 percent of Tajik households do not keep their savings in financial institutions. Due to Tajikistan’s remote and unique mountainous terrain, 95 percent of Tajik households are not aware of the savings products available to them or know where financial institutions are located. Credit access in Tajikistan isn’t seen as a necessity in many Tajik households because it is very common and traditional for Tajiks to keep their savings at home. There also seems to be “a general distrust” of financial institutions.
In April 2010, the World Bank Group, with the help of the Government of Switzerland, launched the IFC Azerbaijan-Central Asia Financial Markets Infrastructure Advisory Services Project. This three-phase project is aimed at improving the financial infrastructure of Tajikistan and expanding credit for people and small businesses. This would allow for the creation of more jobs.
The project also provided financial literacy training to more than 100,000 Tajiks, which allowed Tajiks to become knowledgable about where their savings go. As a result of the IFC Azerbaijan-Central Asia Financial Markets Infrastructure Advisory Services Project, Tajikistan’s financial sector was able to establish the first private Credit Information Bureau with the help of IFC and the National Bank of Tajikistan.
These crucial advancements have led Tajikistan’s financial sector in the right direction toward improving credit access in Tajikistan as well as addressing the needs of the people of Tajikistan. With impoved credit access comes financial security, an increase in small businesses and a better economic standing.
– Jocelyn Aguilar
Photo: Flickr
How Poverty Affects Pregnancy
The number one cause of death for adolescent females in developing countries is complication in reproduction. The risk of death is higher in girls of the age 15 years and younger. Their country’s health systems often fail to provide adequate health services to survive pregnancy and childbirth.
An estimated 75 percent of maternal deaths are caused by:
Poor Health Systems
In developed countries, it is typical for women to have at least four prenatal care visits. Postpartum care is also recommended and received by high-income countries. Unfortunately for millions of poor mothers, there is no access to skilled providers to help them.
The lack of access to health workers can be due to lack of information or an issue of distance. At times, cultural practices prevent women from getting the care they need, and most often the nearest health facility is in another community.
The World Health Organization is contributing to the Global Strategy to improve health for women and children. Their goal is to ensure access to a better health system with effective treatments, trained health workers, and health coverage programs. Without access to quality health care during these critical times of development, this is another way in how poverty affects pregnancy.
Food Insecurity Impacts Female Health
Food insecurity is another way in which poverty affects pregnancy. Creating a new life requires a lot of energy from a woman’s body. This is why women facing food insecurity are at risk of health problems. A poor diet can cause:
If women do not intake the appropriate amount of nutrients, the baby will take the vitamins and minerals from their mother’s body. This weakens a woman’s immune system which is needed to fight off disease and infection.
The Importance of Nutrition for Child Development
A healthy diet when creating a new life is consuming 1,800 calories a day in the first trimester, 2,200 in the second trimester and 2,400 in the third trimester. Essential nutrients include:
Without proper nourishment, a child will suffer from chronic malnutrition. This leads to impaired brain development, a weakened immune system and shorter stature. This could mean that some children will be unable to complete schooling. This is yet another factor in how poverty affects pregnancy.
The USAID study shows that girls with stunted growth have their firstborn at approximately four years younger than non-stunted girls. Additionally, these girls who are not fully developed to give birth to a child contribute to the maternal death rate.
It does not stop there. UNICEF estimates the under-performance of these victims will cost their generation’s global economy $125 billion. The five countries where nearly half the population of children under age five are chronically malnourished include Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Eritrea, Burundi and Timor-Leste.
Overall, without access to a proper health system or proper nutrition, studies indicate the negative ways in how poverty can affect pregnancy. The health of a pregnant woman is vital for childbirth. Prenatal malnutrition stunts the development of children’s bodies and minds. Children can find themselves with learning challenges. This sets generations back from reaching their full potential to advance their communities, fueling the cycle of poverty.
-Crystal Tabares
Photo: Flickr
Top 10 Facts About Girls’ Education in Somalia
Located in Eastern Africa, Somalia continues to persist through political unrest. Withstanding colonialism until the late 1960s, civil war, authoritarian government, extreme poverty, environmental devastation and most recently, increased activity by jihadist fundamentalist group Al-Shabaab, educational opportunities may seem bleak, especially for girls. In the face of national struggle, the quest for education persists. Here are 10 facts about girls’ education in Somalia.
Top 10 Facts About Girls’ Education in Somalia
Increasing access to girls’ education in Somalia faces challenges such as limited access to schools, political uncertainty, widespread poverty and gender disparity. However, 2012 ushered in an attempt to implement a central authority, including newly elected parliament members and a president who is working towards political and national security, which will hopefully begin to eradicate some of the biggest challenges facing Somalis.
– Keeley Griego
Photo: Unsplash
AgIQ App Aids the Productivity of African Farmers
AgriPrecise
The company AgriPrecise is located in Potchefstroom in South Africa. The primary purpose of the company is to gather and make sense of fertilizer and soil data. For 20 years, AgriPrecise has worked in agriculture, having worked in Zimbabwe and Zambia for 7 years. AgriPrecise has also worked in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Ethiopia.
The company provides services in areas such as agronomy and consulting, data analysis, grid soil sampling, soil classifications, NDUI imagery and monitoring and data processing. Over the past 8 years, AgriPrecise has changed much of its work to IT. IT is helping in another part of its mission, which is to promote sustainable farming methods and practices.
AgriPrecise’s software development partner is the Centurion-based technology solutions company Moyo Business Advisory. To assist farmers, AgriPrecise utilizes satellite imagery and conducts accurate soil sampling. The farmer will have access to a location-based visual display of his or her farm, fields and the conditions and will also be able to gather data on crops and pests. Then, data scientists carry out analytics and send the findings to the farmers.
AgriPrecise’s AgIQ App
Out of 1.166 billion people, more than 60 percent of people in Africa live in rural areas. Much of the economy in Africa is dependent on agriculture. In fact, 32 percent of its GDP is from agriculture. AgriPrecise’s AgIQ app meets a large part of Africa’s economy. The app aids the productivity of African Farmers through a number of steps. First, the app makes an assessment of the data and then finds the integral parts, showing a farm, field and soil analysis. Lastly, it gathers information on all the kinds of crops ranging from vegetables to sugarcane.
The AgIQ app aids the productivity of African farmers through a sensor attached to a tractor that measures the amount of nitrogen needed to grow crops, so it can spread the right amount of fertilizer. The sensors on the tractor face down on each side of the bar on the roof of the tractor. The sensors measure the greenness of and the density of the crops below it. Facing up are the light intensity sensors that check the level of ambient light. The greenness measures plant health through analysis of the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves. This way the correct amount of nitrogen can be used to help grow crops.
One of the areas that the app helps gain information on is crop yields. The goal of AgriPrecise is to pick up patterns in growing crops to increase production, boost the quality of the crops and lower cost of growing them. The app has helped farmers increase their crop production by 2 percent, which has led to a 10 percent increase in profits.
One of the issues facing farmers that AgriPrecise’s AgIQ app aids the productivity of African farmers by helping farmers with is the cost of production and amount of crops grown. The app helps decrease the cost of growing crops and increase crop production. The app also diminishes negative effects on the environment by reducing over-fertilization. With the creation of the app AgIQ, farmers can take positive steps towards carrying out sustainable agricultural practices.
Photo: Unsplash