IFS and Matsei Technologies use leading digital technologies to build sustainable communities
IFS, the global enterprise applications company, and Matsei Technologies and Consulting, a key South African IFS business partner, have collaborated to create a digital aquaponics farming solution that will help feed the nation, drive job creation and support the rise of innovative small businesses.
IFS and its partner Matsei demonstrated today, using a live model of the working farm at its Johannesburg offices, how the solution leverages next-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Enterprise Operational Intelligence (EOI), and advanced analytics to automate and monitor fish aquaponic operations in real-time.
IFS and Matsei are offering this solution as a platform to avail nutritional high protein foods to communities, while enabling SMME’s (small, medium and micro-enterprises) to fast-track their entrance into the market and create sustainable employment. The two companies have committed to transferring skills to South African communities—including youth—to develop sustainable, commercially viable businesses that also address the challenge of malnutrition among communities.
The vision is to build a South Africa of sustainable communities through this digital farming program, changing the outlook on farming and growing the program to accommodate new businesses, growing supply chains spanning food production, logistics, retail and other support services. These value chains and ecosystems will also provide the foundational infrastructure for government services and solutions that address socio-economic challenges such as the need for education and health services.
“As executive sponsor for our global corporate social responsibility program, I believe we have an obligation to give something back to the communities in which we operate, while creating value for organizations with whom we do business,” said Stephen Keys, regional president of IFS in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.”
A Statistics South Africa survey in 2018 indicated that a third of children in the South African provinces of Gauteng and Free State were underdeveloped as a result of chronic malnutrition. “This is a challenge we are passionate about helping to solve,” said Bertus van Niekerk, chief operating officer at Matsei Technologies and Consulting. “We believe that this program is a localized African turnkey solution that encourages good nutrition for human development and behavior while being a sustainable community aquaponics solution for the future of Africa.”
Mohamed Cassoojee, MD and country manager for IFS in South Africa, added, “We believe that the proposed program addresses one of our gravest challenges in South Africa, nutrition and self-sustenance, allowing technology to be a catalyst and a key enabler to unlocking the potential we have in addressing our own social ills.”
Renée Conradie, Idea Engineers on behalf of IFS. Phone: +27(0)118030030, press@ifsworld.com
About IFS
IFS™ develops and delivers enterprise software for customers around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. The industry expertise of our people and solutions, together with commitment to our customers, has made us a recognized leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of 3,500 employees supports more than 10,000 customers worldwide from a network of local offices and through our growing ecosystem of partners. For more information, visit: IFSworld.com
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