App to be Launched to Aid Herders Access Pasture, Water

Pastoralists in arid and semi-arid areas will now use their mobile phones to find pasture and water for their livestock following the launch of a new mobile App.

Afriscout App provides African pastoralists with satellite-powered maps that show the density of vegetation and availability of water in their grazing fields.

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The mobile app which was developed by a USA based non-profit organization, Project Concern International (PCI), uses community defined, custom grazing maps overlaid with satellite vegetation data that is continuously updated and accessed via mobile phone.

“Afriscout mobile App was piloted in three countries; Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania and the maps have proven to be highly useful for pastoralists reducing mortality for herds by half, saving time in search of pasture, as well as improving collective pasture management,” said Brenda Wandera, National Program Manager AfriScout, Kenya.

The mobile app-based service will be provided to pastoral households for a six-month no-cost trial period, after which they will have the option to sign up for yearly subscription at a nominal fee.

Afriscout is available on Google Play

Read full article: Daily Nation

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Taxonomy

• Agriculture
• Agriculture
• Technology
• Water Resources
• Consumption
• Livestock Production
• Livestock nutrition
• Water Software