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Key Partners

The key partners are involved in the business model. They all have some value to offer and to take. They want something in return for their effort. Below will be explained in detail how each participant will contribute to the business model.

Delft University of Technology

The Delft University of Technology gave the opportunity to start the TAHMO project. They initiated the idea to develop a continent wide system to map the climate of Africa. Farmerline was set up by the university to accomplish this in Ghana. Moreover, the university makes it possible for students to work on the project to help Farmerline in succeeding become a feasible company. Most of this organisational work is being done by Nick van de Giesen. A professor at the faculty of Civil Engineering at the Delft University of Technology.

Government

The Ghanaian government plays a huge part in the cocoa sector. Every year, they state a fixed price on the cocoa, so that everyone pays the same price. Apart from the cocoa, the government could also become a sponsor in the TAHMO project by financing (the maintenance of) the weather stations.

However, up to now the parliament has not been very generous in investing in the meteorological technology, as they do not see it as a priority.

Schools

A part of the TAHMO project is to create awareness among children about climate change. This is to be done at high schools in Ghana. The weather stations of the TAHMO project are also located at the Ghanaian schools, as it is a relatively safe area and there are science teachers with the knowledge to maintain those stations. These two things combined give an excellent opportunity for students to explore weather in a very practical way and comprehend the importance of the data. They can think about new ways to use the TAHMO data and could even spread the word to their parents in their enthusiasm about climate.

GMet

GMet is the meteorological institute of Ghana. They have been doing research on weather data for decades. The Ghanaian people see this institute as an important and powerful organ for weather forecast. It is also not possible to broadcast an independent weather forecast through the radio, as the GMet will not allow this.

This means that there has to be cooperated with them. TAHMO is already working with them and building a relationship. TAHMO benefits from this, because they need the weather data from the past to better predict the future. GMet, in return, gets the TAHMO data and can then use it in their own models. This will lead to a situation where GMet is satisfied and the forecast can be broadcasted through the radio.

Radio Station

The radio stations are the partners that are going to broadcast the Farmer Forecast. They are to be convinced about the importance of this product as they should be willing to participate actively to make it a success.

LBCs

The LBCs are together with the farmers the partners that will have a financial benefit from the weather data. If the cocoa harvest rises with 20%, they will have 20% more revenue. As the farmers are much poorer than the LBCs, the plan is to have the LBCs finance the Farmer Forecast. If the costs are not too high, this will still be profitable. This however can be a tough partner to have participated, as there is also a risk for them. On the other hand, it could also be very good for their reputation, since it is form of investing in a better future of Ghana and Africa as well.