In the fight against livestock theft and the drive to modernise farming practices, South African farmers now have a powerful new tool at their disposal: face recognition technology for cattle.
Tumelo Makgaka, CEO and founder of Leruo, a pioneering platform that brings innovative tech solutions to the livestock industry, shares his inspiring journey to create Leruo. The platform is designed to protect farmers, enhance cattle traceability, and ultimately improve outcomes for rural farming communities.
From computer science to agriculture
Raised in Mafiking in North West, Tumelo’s journey from tech to agriculture began on his parent’s farm, where an agricultural advisor sparked a conversation about technology’s role in farming.
“I was initially sceptical,” Tumelo admits, “but when livestock theft hit close to home, I realised my tech skills could make a difference right here in Mafeking, in rural communities.”
Technology bridges gaps where state resources fall short, he says. “The state has found it difficult to combat livestock theft, but technology offers affordable, practical solutions to even complex issues. Through our app, for example, we can offer livestock theft protection free to farmers.”
Related posts
- Take farming to the next level with drone technology
- Combatting livestock theft with DNA technology
- New agri age: Traditional slowly makes way for technology
The scale of livestock theft is staggering, with South Africa losing R1.4 billion annually. With cross-border theft complicating recovery, Leruo’s tech ensures ownership records are accessible across jurisdictions, making it easier for farmers to reclaim their livestock.
This platform, coined as “home affairs for cows”, also enables farmers to scan a cow’s face using a smartphone, and the app’s AI technology records distinct facial features for secure identification. As Makgaka explains, “Basically, farmers just scan the cow’s face and then it’s registered.”
The app, adaptable for remote areas with limited internet, works offline and uploads data when network access is available.
Besides theft prevention, Leruo’s platform fosters efficient traceability across the value chain, ensuring that livestock records are updated as they move from farm to market. The app also allows for comprehensive record-keeping essential for disease prevention and control.
Makgaka highlights, “Farmers are able to receive real-time updates and best practices around livestock.”
In this episode, Makgaka also discusses:
- Record-keeping features;
- The role of agricultural advisors.
Want to know more? Dive deeper into the episode and gain insights from the award-winning Farmer’s Inside Track, officially recognised as Africa and the world’s best podcast at the 2024 Digital Media Awards presented by WAN-IFRA, the global press organisation.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
READ NEXT: Facial recognition tech transforms livestock management
Sign up for Farmer’s Inside Track: Join our exclusive platform for new entrants into farming and agri-business, with newsletters and podcasts.
