A new platform is being tested to track forecasts of food commodities in the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Africa Business Communities reports that the Regional Food Balance Sheet (RFBS) employs digital, remote-sensing and advanced analytical technologies.

A minimum-viable-product version of the platform will be used across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, according to COMESA secretary-general Chileshe Kapwepwe.

The project is a collaboration between COMESA, the US Agency for International Development, the Alliance for Green Revolution Forum, the Rwandan government and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Pulling data from public and private sources, the platform will facilitate informed decisions about the public sector’s role in production support, trade policy and stock management; private-sector investment and business opportunities; and food assistance.

20 September 2022
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