FarmSafe

FarmSafe is a mobile app that monitors and tracks antibiotic use in livestock, filling crucial data gaps in low- and middle-income countries. By integrating with existing datasets, FarmSafe promotes responsible antibiotic use, aiming to reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and protect human, animal, and environmental health.

Grace Kapurula is the CEO at FarmSafe, bringing expertise in public health and technology to lead the initiative's efforts in monitoring and tracking antibiotic use in livestock.

FarmSafe addresses the critical problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock, a global health threat affecting both human and animal populations. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture contribute significantly to the emergence and spread of AMR, impacting the effectiveness of these life-saving drugs. 

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where data on antibiotic use in animals is often lacking, the problem is particularly acute. The lack of surveillance and monitoring leads to unregulated antibiotic use, exacerbating the spread of AMR. According to the World Health Organization, AMR is estimated to cause 700,000 deaths globally each year, a number that could rise to 10 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.

FarmSafe aims to tackle this problem by providing a tool for real-time monitoring and tracking of antibiotic use in livestock, helping to fill the data gap and inform policies to promote responsible antibiotic use. By addressing the root causes of AMR in animal agriculture, FarmSafe aims to protect human, animal, and environmental health on a global scale.

FarmSafe serves a wide range of stakeholders involved in livestock farming, veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental conservation. Farmers and veterinarians are primary users of the app, as they are responsible for administering antibiotics to animals and can use FarmSafe to record and monitor antibiotic use. 

FarmSafe also benefits government agencies, researchers, and policymakers by providing valuable data on antibiotic use in animals. This data can inform policies and interventions to promote responsible antibiotic use and combat AMR. 

To understand the needs of our target audience, we have engaged in extensive stakeholder consultations, including interviews, surveys, and focus groups with farmers, veterinarians, government officials, and other key stakeholders. This feedback has been instrumental in shaping the design and functionality of FarmSafe to ensure it meets the needs of its users. 

As we continue to develop the solution, we are committed to ongoing engagement with our stakeholders to ensure that FarmSafe remains relevant, user-friendly, and effective in addressing the challenges of antibiotic resistance in livestock.

FarmSafe provides several public goods:

1. Data: FarmSafe generates valuable data on antibiotic use in livestock, which can be used by researchers, policymakers, and public health officials to improve understanding of antimicrobial resistance and inform decision-making.

2. Knowledge: FarmSafe contributes to the knowledge base on AMR by providing insights into antibiotic consumption patterns, veterinary practices, and farm management practices. This knowledge can help identify areas for intervention and support the development of targeted strategies to combat AMR.

3. Tool for Action: FarmSafe serves as a practical tool for implementing more effective policies and actions to address AMR. By providing real-time surveillance data, FarmSafe enables timely interventions to reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

4. Capacity Building: FarmSafe helps build capacity for monitoring and tracking antibiotic use in livestock, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where such capacity may be limited. This can lead to improved surveillance systems and better management of AMR.

FarmSafe aims to have the following quantifiable impacts in selected regions of Tanzania and beyond by 2030:

1. Reduce Antibiotic Use: Target a 20% reduction in overall antibiotic use in livestock within the first five years of implementation, leading to a 50% reduction by 2030. This reduction will be measured by the volume of antibiotics used per animal or per farm in the selected regions.

2. Decrease Antibiotic Resistance: Aim for a 15% reduction in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in livestock and the environment within the first five years, leading to a 30% reduction by 2030. This reduction will be measured through regular surveillance and testing in the selected regions.

3. Improve Human Health Outcomes: Expect a 10% decrease in antibiotic-resistant infections in humans related to livestock-associated bacteria within the first five years, leading to a 25% reduction by 2030. This reduction will be measured through hospital and health facility data in the selected regions.

4. Economic Savings: Project a 15% reduction in healthcare costs related to antibiotic-resistant infections in humans by 2030, resulting in significant savings for healthcare systems and individuals in the selected regions.

Over the next year, FarmSafe plans to scale its impact by expanding to three additional regions in Tanzania: Dodoma, Tabora, and Katavi. Through partnerships with key stakeholders and capacity building initiatives, FarmSafe aims to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by training 500 farmers, 50 veterinarians, and 100 extension workers and collecting and analyzing data from 5,000 livestock farms.

Over the next three years, FarmSafe aims to further reduce AMR by expanding regionally to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The app will be enhanced to serve 20,000 active users, and advocacy efforts will target policy changes in Tanzania and other countries. Financial sustainability will be pursued through funding diversification, aiming to cover 50% of operating costs by 2025.

FarmSafe will measure success against its impact goals through several key indicators:

1. App Adoption: Number of downloads and active users of the FarmSafe app, indicating the reach and engagement of the solution.

2. Training Reach: Number of farmers, veterinarians, and extension workers trained on responsible antibiotic use and data collection, indicating the extent of capacity building efforts.

3. Data Collection: Quantity and quality of data collected from livestock farms, providing insights into antibiotic use patterns and resistance trends.

4. Policy Impact: Number of policy changes implemented in target countries based on FarmSafe data and advocacy efforts, demonstrating the solution's influence on policy decisions.

5. AMR Reduction: Reduction in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in livestock populations in regions where FarmSafe is implemented, indicating the effectiveness of the solution in combating AMR.

These indicators will be regularly monitored and evaluated to assess progress and impact. Performance data from the pilot in Singida, Tanzania, will be used as a baseline to compare against future outcomes.

FarmSafe faces several barriers to accomplishing its goals in the next year and the next three years:

1. Financial Constraints: Limited funding may hinder expansion efforts and the development of new features. To overcome this, FarmSafe plans to pursue additional grants, partnerships, and revenue streams, such as premium features within the app.

2. Technical Challenges: Ensuring the app's scalability, usability, and data security pose technical challenges. FarmSafe will invest in continuous app development, user feedback mechanisms, and partnerships with tech experts to address these challenges.

3. Policy and Regulatory Hurdles: Adapting to evolving regulations and ensuring compliance with data protection laws in different countries may slow down expansion. FarmSafe will engage with policymakers, advocacy groups, and legal advisors to navigate these complexities.

4. Cultural and Educational Barriers: Overcoming resistance to change and promoting awareness about responsible antibiotic use in livestock farming require effective communication strategies and educational campaigns. FarmSafe will collaborate with local communities, NGOs, and government agencies to address these barriers.

By proactively addressing these barriers, FarmSafe aims to achieve its goals and make a significant impact in combating antimicrobial resistance.

We are applying to The Trinity Challenge because it provides a unique platform and network to amplify the impact of FarmSafe in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock farming. The challenge aligns closely with our mission to combat AMR by monitoring and tracking antibiotic use in animals.

One of the main barriers we face is limited access to resources and expertise needed to scale up our solution. The Trinity Challenge can help us overcome this barrier by providing funding opportunities, access to a network of experts and partners, and visibility to attract additional support. The challenge's focus on fostering collaboration and innovation also aligns with our approach, making it an ideal platform to accelerate the growth and impact of FarmSafe.

By participating in The Trinity Challenge, we aim to leverage its resources and network to scale up FarmSafe, reach more communities in Tanzania, and expand our impact in combating AMR globally.

We would like to collaborate with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). These collaborations would provide us with access to valuable expertise, data, and networks that can help us accelerate the implementation and scale-up of FarmSafe.

Working with these organizations would also enhance the credibility and impact of our solution, as their support and endorsement would validate the effectiveness of FarmSafe in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock farming. 

Additionally, collaborating with these global entities would enable us to contribute to the development of international guidelines and policies related to responsible antibiotic use in animals, further amplifying our impact beyond Tanzania.