Agreement signed to help farmers market produce using digital technology
The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), is advancing a data-driven partnership to connect local farmers to international buyers while deepening links between agriculture and tourism.
“We build the connection between the farmers and the buyers…,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Quantome Incorporated Jacques Nack, said at a joint press conference involving the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism at Cabinet Room yesterday, September 14.
The press conference saw Agriculture Minister Israel Bruce, and Nack formally signing a data management and protection agreement.
Explaining what Quantome is going to do for local farmers, Nack said a digital marketplace and data-driven supply platform will connect Vincentian farmers to local and international buyers (restaurants, overseas buyers, etc.).
The initiative will use a data protection/data-sharing agreement so buyers can accurately know what is planted, where, and in what quantities. They will also know when crops are planted and expected to be harvested and when parts of a crop are lost to disease.
The data will be used to list verified, traceable quantities of produce on a marketplace, secure purchase contracts from buyers from the time of planting, giving farmers more certainty about who will buy, how much they will buy, and when they will buy and pay.
Nack stressed that the core mission is connecting the farmers and the buyers and taking the “guesswork” out of production and sales, starting specifically with dasheen and peppers.
The initiative will see on-the-ground activation and staff working alongside extension officers.
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