mOmulimisa

m-Omulimisa is a mobile and web-based platform that enables farmers to exchange information with their extension officers in local languages. The platform leverages human mediation and text messaging to create a mobile and web-based consultative space where farmers use their mobile phones to ask questions in their local languages, and receive instant feedback from local extension officers through text messages.

How it works:

To use the system, you must register through SMS on their mobile phone. To register, you type a text message beginning with your language specific keyword (Mulimisa, Kulima for central Uganda, Muhingisa and Kuhinga for Western Uganda, Apwony for Lango and Lapwony for Acholi), type the name of your district, your sub-county and lastly your full name. You then send the message to 8228 at no cost. Registration is done once!!

For example, Mulimisa Wakiso Nangabo Kuteesa Solomon and send to 8228.

To ask a question(s), you type a text message using your language specific keyword for asking questions (Manya for Luganda and Runyakitara, Apeny for Lango and Lapeny for Acholi), type your question and send the message to 8222 at no cost. You can ask as many questions as you wish.

For example, Manya how do I control coffee twig borer and send to 8228

The question is instantly delivered to a web-based platform where registered extension officers respond and the answer is instantly delivered to your phone.

The system includes a mapping function that uses geo-spatial data to track the origin of farmer queries was added. Consequently, organizations and agencies can use it to respond efficiently to emergencies, such as disease outbreaks, floods or droughts.