Real-time mobile survey platform GeoPoll has announced a strategic partnership with Control Union, a global network of inspection operations specialising in cargo surveying.
The partnership, which seeks to engage and educate smallholder farmers in emerging economies, will launch several mobile products aimed at non-profit and commercial organisations, exporters and suppliers, including certification surveys, value chain monitoring and one-way push compliance messages.
Their efforts will initially focus on African countries including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. Targeted supply chains include coffee, cocoa, cotton, rice, tea, tobacco, fruit and vegetables.
"GeoPoll's platform provides us with practical tools to connect with rural farming communities to educate, certify and link them to a global marketplace," says Johan Maris, MD at Control Union, voicing the aim that accessing information from remote farming communities will no longer be a barrier.
"We're confident the better data and increased knowledge generated through this partnership will be beneficial for both farmers and consumers," adds James Eberhard, CEO of GeoPoll.
This partnership will help educate and monitor farmers who want to certify their products and enter global markets, expands Amy Sweeney, director of client business development at GeoPoll. "Ultimately, we are supporting equal engagement between all players in the agricultural industry," she says.
Many consumers want to know where their food is coming from and that their money is having a positive impact socially, economically and environmentally, she continues, putting forward that increased communication along the supply chain will help increase transparency.
"The environment is integral in our strategy," she adds, explaining GeoPoll can be used to send educational messages about environmental farming, and conduct environmental impact and sustainability surveys.
Respondents need only a basic mobile phone to participate in the project, as GeoPoll can be used through SMS, USSD, voice and Web, says Sweeney.
GeoPoll will use its existing database of over 200 million users in emerging markets to reach out to farmers to participate, explains Sweeney.
Although both GeoPoll and Control Union operate in SA, there is no specific timeline for launching the partnership locally. "We are always open to working with companies and NGOs in SA who can benefit from our model," says Sweeney.
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