New Digital Platform Mlangizi M’manja to Boost Agriculture in Malawi
CodeTech Innovators, a team of software developers, has launched a digital platform named Mlangizi M’manja, aimed at transforming the agricultural sector in Malawi. The platform is designed to connect farmers with agricultural advisors, providing real-time, personalized advice through an AI-powered chatbot.
Features and Capabilities
Peter Phiri, one of the developers, explained that the platform offers instant communication between farmers and advisors in both English and Chichewa, Malawi’s local language. This bilingual feature ensures inclusivity and accessibility for a broader range of users.
“The chatbot delivers timely and relevant agricultural information, enabling farmers to receive input and advice on best practices whenever needed,” Phiri stated. He emphasized that the platform complements, rather than replaces, human agricultural advisors, making critical information available at any time.
Platform Accessibility
Mlangizi M’manja is currently available online, with plans underway to launch a mobile application. The platform supports both smartphones and basic feature phones, ensuring access for users in rural areas. However, Phiri noted that feature phones have limitations, such as slow internet connections and the inability to support advanced features like chatbots, JavaScript, or high-resolution images.
Data Privacy and Security
The platform is designed with robust security measures to protect user data. Each user, whether a farmer or an advisor, is assigned a unique ID generated by the system. These IDs are known only to the platform and are used to securely manage accounts and interactions.
Phiri assured users that data privacy is a top priority: “User data is stored securely, and access is restricted to authorized personnel or system components.” Authentication is managed through ID and password protocols to ensure a secure user experience.
Mlangizi M’manja represents a significant step forward in digitizing agriculture in Malawi. By leveraging AI technology and ensuring accessibility across different devices, the platform promises to empower farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to improve agricultural practices and productivity.
Reference
New Digital Platform Mlangizi M’manja to Boost Agriculture in Malawi