Econet Wireless raises mobile literacy among female farmers

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has embarked on a digital training programme to help achieve rural food security and boost productivity by raising mobile literacy among rural women farmers, The Chronicle reported. The aim is for the farmers to make full use of their mobile phones in accessing critical services to raise productivity. Econet said the programme was being conducted in partnership with the Zimbabwe Farmers' Union and Mercy Corps.

So far, the training has been conducted in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central provinces. Econet said the training will encourage the farmers to access practical and timely information on relevant farming services such as mobile insurance, as well as uses of its EcoCash service.

ZFU Manicaland provincial manager Daniel Mungazi said the programme will help farmers to use their phones in new ways, to ease their farming businesses and increase productivity.