Strive Masiyiwa's Econet Introducing Agriculture Technology Expected To Boost Output
Econet has introduced Machine-to-machine (M2M) technology that is premised on boosting agricultural output by enabling farmers to monitor their crops using sensors.
The M2M also allows farmers to remotely track and manage of their tractors, combine harvesters and other farming equipment. Farmers only need to install a device with a global subscriber identity module on site.
Farmers can install sensors in the fields to monitor soil, water, light, humidity, and temperature conditions remotely, using their mobile phones.
When the sensors are combined with smart irrigation systems, crops are only irrigated when they need to be watered, delivering substantial benefits for both water use efficiency and increased yield.
Econet’s M2M technology can also be used to transform water billing systems with the advent of smart metering, which will allow municipalities in the country to digitise their processes.
For water utility and transportation companies, smart meters provide multiple benefits, including leak detection, energy reduction, and demand forecasting, NewsDay reported citing the head of Econet’s Business Solutions (EBS) unit, Dr Jimmy Shindi.
Smart meters can provide customers with information on when and where water is being used, comparisons of their own water use against other customers, and quick leak detections.
Shindi said the introduction of smart meters will be a huge milestone for the local municipalities that are struggling with revenue collections, thus affecting operations. He said:
This will not only ensure that there is accurate charging of water usage, but also expedite the switch to prepaid water solutions.
We are eliminating human intervention for secure Machine-2-Machine communication through our technology that is helping businesses achieve greater efficiency, coupled with robust security.
Shindi added that by making a switch to M2M, manufacturers can reduce costs, optimize and integrate processes, and get comprehensive insights into their manufacturing processes.
Globally, the M2M technology has seen a shift into the passive tracking space as well as container tracking.
