This agreement follows a resolution adopted by Agri SA's congress in 2011, whereby they were instructed to investigate alternative telecommunication systems for rural users. "By partnering with Agri SA we will have the opportunity to bring Vodacom's satellite based voice and data solutions to the rural community, including Agri SA members," said Chris Lazarus, managing executive of Vodacom Business Services.
"Vodacom is well aware of the fact that rural areas of South Africa are under-serviced with regard to connectivity. This has presented real challenges to not only the farming community, but to their customers, service suppliers and rural communities in general," said Lazarus. "To realise the full potential of this sector agricultural players need access to cutting-edge technology to market and grow their businesses. This partnership with Agri SA will serve as a catalyst to bring a truly mobile, accessible and affordable solution to these areas."
"The deterioration of rural fixed-line telephone infrastructure means that effective telecommunication in various regions has become virtually impossible especially with regards to gaining access to the Internet, e-mail facilities and, recently, also voice. Needless to say that for farmers and the rural community at large, telecommunication is important for transactional purposes as well as for security reasons," said Johannes Möller, president of Agri SA.
Agri SA has gone through a lengthy process to properly evaluate possible alternatives to fixed-line telecommunications in relation to the applicable resolution taken by its congress. "Farm leaders will be offered the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the communication system at the forthcoming congresses in the various provinces. Vodacom will also shortly be launching ten pilot projects around the country for farmers to evaluate and to provide us with the necessary feedback," said Möller.
