Farmers to get weather and price info on their phones

Farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in Moldova will be able get free notices on their phones or e-mails containing information on weather forecasts, pests warnings and average agrifood prices, thanks to a service launched as part of the Weather Disaster and Risk Management Project, Info-Prim Neo reports. Speaking at an event launching the service, Agriculture Minister Vasile Bumacov noted that farmers have limited information, especially when out in the field. “People don't take the TV set or the computer with them when working in the field. Yet everyone carries the mobile phone with him. This way, we can inform them in a prompt manner”. Anatolie Fala, project coordinator at the National Agency for Rural Development, which will run the information and warning platform, expects that the service will help farmers better adjust their business to weather and market developments. The Weather Disaster and Risk Management Project has a budget of $10 million, which was offered by the World Bank.