The 'Internet craze' has caught up with farmers in Zimbabwe, with the launch of a one-stop shop farmer's website for suppliers and service providers.

Website developer, Ginny Sinclair, said the website www.farmersco-op.co.zw was a new concept for farmers and suppliers.

"Many famers from all walks of life are now able to go online from their homes or even from their fields through their mobiles and computers and can easily access any information they need. This website is a one-stop shop for any farmer needing a supplier or service provider across Zimbabwe. That's not all; the focus of the website is the notice board, which is free for all farmers to use," Sinclair said.

This website is for farmers by farmers and is really committed to the success of farmers and suppliers and service providers.

"A lot of farmers have their set suppliers and do not know of others or their prices.

"This is going to hopefully increase competitiveness among suppliers and service providers in an economy where a dollar saved is a dollar gained," she added.

There are several different sections on the website, the main one being the product and services search. This is there for farmers to use free of charge. Products are listed alphabetically according to what the farmer might be looking for; services and their providers are also listed in alphabetical order.

"Then there is the notice board, where there is a jobs section for both, those seeking employment and those looking for staff.

"A buying and selling section is available for anything from tractors to furniture and lastly an events section that is available for events that are happening within the farming sector, for example dates for the tobacco floors opening, cattle sales etc.

"All of this is available to the farmer or anyone who has something to offer, or is looking for something to buy," Sinclair said.

Included on the website is the important numbers section that has been done according to towns, so that farmers can find the police, Zimbabwe Electr-icity Supply Authority and other service provides easily.

Commodity prices are updated as and when they change courtesy of Staywell Commo-dity Brokers.

A Vegiepedia section is available for just about every type of vegetable a farmer could think of growing. Legal notices which include, wage changes, police fines and other notices of interest are also available.

The homepage provides the weather updated daily according to the town requested.

"Our biggest section will be the price check section for different sectors of the farming industry.

"A farmer could go through these and see what the value of certain products is and where the cheapest outlet for that product might be."

During the tobacco auction season, the website is going to have the daily prices by grade.

"This should help all farmers make sure that they are getting the correct value for their tobacco.

"The hope of this website is to bring together the whole farming community along with organisations, suppliers and service providers to improve all aspects of production and make the farmers life easier," Sinclair said.