Aquaculture in Africa is shifting away from subsistence type farming that were promoted by development partners in the 70’s and 80’s to one that is now focused on production and profit. With this shift, farmers are now increasingly using the Internet of Things (IoTs) to access information and services in real time. This move towards digitalisation is being facilitated by increasing internet coverage and smart phones becoming increasingly affordable.
Governments in Africa are also increasingly looking at digitalisation to solve their data problem. Without access to reliable and regular production data from farmers, the ability for governments to develop informed policies and to manage and develop the sector is diminished.
Buna Africa (www.bunaafrica.org), is an online aquaculture platform that has been developed by the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science of Rhodes University (South Africa). Buna provides a digital pathway for farmers to submit their production data to government. Buna recognises that for farmers to submit production data, the platform must also give back and address their needs. Buna therefore provides fish farmers with a range of technical support and services, in real time.
Some of the functionalities in Buna include, technical manuals and YouTube videos, the weather in real time linked to the farmers location, a directory of service providers (such as seed and feed producers), a built-in messaging system in real time to connect farmers, a virtual marketplace to connect farmers to fish traders, a bookkeeping facility and fish health services.
All data that farmers submit is also made available to them, in a manner that they can use to manage and develop their facility. Privacy settings in the code design of Buna ensures that no farmer can see other farmers data.
As digital technologies develop, such as Artificial Intelligence, the roles of digital tools such as Buna, will increasingly be used by the sector. The aquaculture value chain in Africa should take advantage of this technology and incorporate it into their operations.