![]() When you are sending bulk SMS text messages at scale, you should expect up to a 75% discount on the normal SMS text price. Some providers may be able to give you a short code, giving farmers an easier way to reply to you by SMS. Services vary from the brokerage of airtime (as in the box below), to more integrated services that will include sending SMS text, recording and sending automated voice messaging, translating messages in the required languages, and providing follow-up surveys to assess the impact of the messages. ![]() ![]() In many countries, there is a very competitive marketplace for the provision of voice and text services. If you are new to sending automated voice messaging or SMS texts, you will need to work with a media service provider. Working with a third-party service provider You must ensure you process the phone numbers in accordance with all applicable data protection laws. You can compile these into a single database and then clean this to remove duplicates. The service provider will be able to provide detailed information on how many farmers received the call and how many listened to the end.Įven if you do not already have a single database of farmers’ phone numbers, it is likely that your extension teams and other staff already have many farmers’ numbers. The service provider will probably not be able to tell you how many farmers have opened or read the messages. Most service providers will attempt to send the message to the phone three times – if missed, the farmer will not receive the message. Messages will be sent to the phone number and picked up next time the phone is active.Ĭan only connect to a phone that is charged, switched on, and within the coverage area. Limited to 160 characters, or around 25 words.Ī one-minute message will contain about 180 words, equivalent to around six text messages. If this is the first time you are using reaching farmers via phone, you should aim to keep things simple. The message must be clear and presented in an engaging manner so that farmers will want to stay on the line to listen. Recording an automated voice message requires skill and careful planning.The cost is significantly higher than SMS.You are encouraging farmers to adopt new practices.ĭownsides to using automated voice messaging are:.The information you need to convey is complex.(But remember that many farming households have children who can read even if the adults cannot.) Until recently this has been used less often in agricultural extension work – but it can be a powerful tool, particularly if: With automated voice messaging, the recipient’s phone rings as it would with any call, and they then hear a pre-recorded message. More complicated information may run into several SMS messages, which will make them more difficult to read. ![]() SMS messages work well for sending simple information like market prices and weather information. If your farmers have only basic phones and you have their contact details, then you can send them SMS (text) messages or automated voice messages. (If lead farmers or contact farmers are tasked with spreading information to others, you may need to remind them to maintain social distancing – that is, keeping far enough apart that their outstretched arms cannot touch.) If you are relying on a small number of recipients to share information with their neighbours, you need to package the information so that it is easy to remember. Farmers are very good at sharing useful information. It is not necessary for every farmer to own a mobile phone in order to get messages to your farmers. Are your messages complex or new to the farmers, or do you only need to send reminders and updates?.Can many farmers read well enough to understand the information you would like to send them?.If not, is there some way you can get hold of their phone numbers?.Do you have a list of farmers’ phone numbers?.Key questions to consider in deciding on a strategy are: ![]() Increasing rates of phone ownership in Africa means that phone-based services can be a good option for reaching smallholder farmers, even in rural areas. ![]()
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