Zambia ICT4D MeetUp Group is an informal networking group created to form a joint platform for people living and working in Zambia with a) an established interest in ICT4D, or b) a will/interest to learn more about the role of ICTs in development. The group is coordinated by the Embassy of Sweden together with local partners, and each MeetUp, which explores a new theme, aims to enable people to network, share knowledge and turn inspiration into tangible action! On March 30th the MeetUp is organized in collaboration with IDE and will explore synergies between technology and agricultural development in the Zambian context. Please come and join the dynamic discussion on how technology can be utilized in the agricultural sector! Panelists include: Lima Links Lima Links is a for-profit Zambian company established in August 2016 that offers an agriculture technology platform to connect various market actors. Lima Links’ technology suite includes a USSD application accessible by smallholder farmers and both Android and web applications that connect farmers to market actors such as market agents, buyers, and input suppliers. Lima Links’ core product, the farmer USSD platform, will launch towards the end of March 2017, and includes market price information, promotions on agricultural inputs, and linkages to market agents for selling of produce. Lima Links aims to drive data-driven agricultural services in Zambia and catalyze Zambia’s involvement in the global agriculture sector through our innovative and adaptive technology products. Mobile Payment Solutions (MPS) Mobile Payment Solutions Limited (MPS) is a Zambian-based limited liability company founded in 2008. MPS develops software products and provides electronic payments and transaction processing services to wide range of corporates within Zambia. AgroPay is an agricultural payment platform that harnesses all the administrative and functional aspects of the unique Zambian farming cycle, in a single application. It has been designed to serve as the smallscale farmer’s conduit to financial inclusion, with features that support subsidy programs such as FISP and purchase schemes under the FRA. AgroPay reduces the services gap between the farmer and financial and agricultural markets. Market Agent Market Agents play an important role in connecting farmers to the greater agriculture sector, as the main point of contact with smallholder farmers and brokers for farmers in the open markets. Market Agents are independent entrepreneurs in markets such as Soweto (Lusaka) and New Kasanda (Kabwe). Farmers often come to them for various agriculture needs, such as extension advice and inputs on credit. Some Market Agents use basic ICT technologies, such as SMS, to communicate with farmers. This will be a valuable opportunity to hear from the Market Agent what gaps there are in the agriculture technology space and where they see the biggest demand for technology. Register for the event: http://zambiaict4dmeetup.eventbrite.com?s=74657205