Why we should not invest in rural farmers
There are many NGOs, for social startups helping helping rural farmers to facilitate a better living, for example Kenya secured $250 Million to Help 500,000 Smallholder Farmers Enhance Value Addition and Access Markets from the World Bank.
In this article I came across in theStandard, out roughly $88 Million budgeted for the ‘blue economy’ none of it goes to the fishermen that spend their days undergoing hard physical labor to make catches.
I believe there should be more startups, funding within the blue economy for example;
Providing affordable mobile devices and custom apps to small-scale, artisanal fishing crews could connect them to valuable market information, weather data, traceability tools, and communication channels that help optimize operations.
One idea can be an app that delivers real-time pricing across local fish markets to inform where and when to make the best catches.
Hyperlocal weather alerts and forecasts could warn fishermen of impending storms that threaten their safety at sea or impact prospective fish location saving these fishermen time and money beforehand.
Software tracking catch origins and transport could open access to new buyers requiring verified sourcing while combating illegal fishing.
Additionally, mobile tech enables rural fishermen to participate in digital financial systems for the first time — accepting payments, securing loans to invest in boats/gear, and accessing insurance to protect livelihoods when seasons disappoint. Connectivity allows coordination across the supply chain, too — cold storage owners can prepare ice based on projected catches, carriers dispatched efficiently.
Finally, for fishermen isolated in small coastal villages, mobile devices provide a vital social lifeline — connecting them to family and allowing for emergency communication when accidents happen at sea. They can even use their phone’s camera to document rare species sightings or research fish diseases.
So bringing connected tech tools into the hands of rural fishermen helps keep this traditional trade alive by empowering small operators to fish smarter, do business better, and stay safe amid the modern world’s tidal forces of change.
