Many months ago, we created Zenvus Boundary to help farmers in Northern Nigeria to survey their farmlands. The agents that worked with partner-cooperatives informed us that we should make a public version that would enable anyone to self-survey his or her farmland. Today, from the engineering lab of Fasmicro, we announce the launch of Zenvus Boundary.
Unlike the hardware version that comes with Zenvus device, this one is an app which requires a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) with GPS capability. It does not require internet access to survey a farmland but does require one later for data transfer to Zenvus portal. For enterprises/agents/partners, there is no limit on the number of properties which can be surveyed before data transfer.
Zenvus Boundary – Introduction
Zenvus Boundary maps farmland perimeter boundaries, calculates the areas and populates the data onto Google Earth. From Zenvus portal, the surveys can be downloaded or printed. It supports cooperatives, governments and individual farmers, enabling these entities to have survey reports at a fraction of the typical cost of surveys.
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Property owners can do this without any external help. And when done, register with their cooperatives which help them ratify the boundaries with governments. We use this to formalize farmlands and properties, enabling financial inclusion like agro-lending, using farmlands as collateral.
A farmer upon using Zenvus Boundary can download a PDF of the farm boundary report (sample here) in Zenvus account. The Zenvus Boundary also enables cooperatives or unions to have their logos and names emboldened in the reports for each member-farm..
Installation /Manuals
To download and install Zenvus Boundary app, do it on Google Play here with your Android device (either tablet or smartphone). Our app is called Zenvus Boundary. The following are the manuals (PDF) on how to use the app and also print the survey results:
- Mobile App manual (this explains how to use the app; should be used first)
- Web manual (after using the mobile app, this explains how to download the report on Zenvus web app).
Brief Usage Instruction
If you download Zenvus Boundary app on Google Play, follow the screen instruction (register, login, etc. Please note the NIN as you need it to access the survey later). Click BEGIN PROPERTY to enter scan mode, put the property info, and click CAPTURE as you walk around the property perimeter. When you are back to the original position, click EXIT PROPERTY. That completes the data acquisition. Once that is done, click the SERVER TRANSFER mode when you have internet on the mobile device. If you are an individual property owner, put 0000 (four zeros, i.e. numerals) on the field code (agents/partners/enterprises, capturing many farmers at once, use the code we sent you). When transfer is done, it will say “…successful”. (Our algorithm will construct the survey with the data, superimposing on Google Map to deliver a survey which puts your property in visual relationship with other properties around.) Copy this link to your web browser https://boundary.zenvus.com/ ; your log Id and password are both the NIN you used for this property in the mobile app. System will ask you to create password and email. Inside you will see your survey to view and print. For Agents, the process is different as you would have access to all properties under your control, read the manuals.
Verification
If you plan to use your survey to apply for loan, government verification of property, security, etc and you need the party to check the authenticity in our records, use Zenvus Boundary public search. Use the code on your report (it begins with SB) and check it here (looks like below).
Cost of Service
We have set the price of using this solution to map a farmland perimeter with the survey printed on Zenvus portal at $20 (N7,000 Nigerian naira) per property to maximum of 5 acres [for example, 6 acres would be captured as two farms, for $40]. You would have the opportunity to include your name, LGA, National Identity Number, BVN, etc. Most of those entries are optional.
Franchise/Agent Opportunity
We have franchising opportunities across Africa for those interested in helping farmers, landlords, etc to digitize their property perimeters and locations at bulk. Here, you could have a contract to map farms in a whole village tied to each farmer.
It requires a one-time license fee [email for details] and offers 80% royalty on sales [You charge the farmer $20 but you send 20% to us while keeping 80%].You would have an enterprise account which will make it possible to map thousands of farms. If you are interested, contact [email protected]. Note: our team has demo logins you can request via email to see how the system works and how you could build a business with Zenvus Boundary.
NB: This solution has been used to support Zenvus farm sensors (focusing on governments and cooperatives at the moment) as we need farm boundaries to provide granular insights to farmers using Zenvus AI systems. Farmers with Zenvus hardware do not need the app, just put the sensor in boundary mode and walk round your farm; the map will be done.
Are you aware that the profession of Surveying is regulated by law in Nigeria? Are you also aware that Surveys used to state claims to any land holding are called cadastral surveys and such surveys should be prepared to a specified precision and duly authenticated by a professionally qualified Surveyor?
In most states in Nigeria only Cadastral Surveys prepared as I have described above can be used to process Certificates of Occupancy, Deeds of Assignments, Serve as documentation for Loans and process building and development approvals. As innovative as your “system” is, it falls far short of meeting not to talk of replacing the requirements of a cadastral survey.
I think you have been economical with the truth regarding the points on which your service can deliver. truth be told you cannot self audit, self medicate, self investigate and self try someone in a case you are involved.
The public should be warned that this will give u a good photographic representation of what you call your property. Something you alone can enjoy and possibly others may admire but not something can can stand up legally for you as a properly executed SURVEY.
Dear Sir and members of the public kindly check up the following The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, The Surveyors Council of Nigeria, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, Office of the State Surveyors General etc.
Surv. Adewebi O. V. fnis
Are you aware that the profession of Surveying is regulated by law in Nigeria? Are you also aware that Surveys used to state claims to any land holding are called cadastral surveys and such surveys should be prepared to a specified precision and duly authenticated by a professionally qualified Surveyor?
1. Thank you for writing. This is highly appreciated. It means people are noticing our product. This product is not JUST for Nigeria. This is a global product. It is a tool just as the surveying tool you use for whatever you do. I am not sure the tool you use knows you are a surveyor. Take this solution as a technical tool. It is irrelevant if your T-square or pencil knows you have a surveyor license. We have a tool which is not designed to overcome any Nigerian surveyor law, specifically. Please check well, and read our claims: we did not quote any Nigerian law. We do not just operate in Nigeria. Our largest market today is East Africa. It is left to local surveyors to meet all the legal obligations by using our tool. Nonetheless, I would be happy to work with you to help Nigeria develop a cheaper way to ensure we reduce the cost of property surveyors in order to encourage people to patronise the industry.
In most states in Nigeria only Cadastral Surveys prepared as I have described above can be used to process Certificates of Occupancy, Deeds of Assignments, Serve as documentation for Loans and process building and development approvals. As innovative as your “system” is, it falls far short of meeting not to talk of replacing the requirements of a cadastral survey.
2. You are extrapolating on the possibilities which is good. But I know that the pencil you use as a surveyor does not give you COC, DEA, etc. I am not sure we have claimed any of such. We have a tool and we do not claim any legality or law. Just as you buy pencil for your surveyor service, see this as a technical tool. But note that there is nothing in your typical survey output we cannot generate using our raw data. Of course, you sell it more expensive because you have a license. We offer a technical product and not a legal one. People build on that.
I think you have been economical with the truth regarding the points on which your service can deliver. truth be told you cannot self audit, self medicate, self investigate and self try someone in a case you are involved.
3. Keep writing. Our services are used in the CBN Anchor Borrowers programme for farmers. Go and ask those farmers how this has helped them. Farmers cannot afford the expensive work of the surveyors which are not necessary for the use-cases. I will be happy to attend your association meeting and educate on the benefits of mapping. Do not look at the law. Without digital mapping you cannot do PRECISION AGRICULTURE. A farmer does not need to register his farm with government before implementing new farming technologies. Your understanding of the use of surveyors is largely focusing on pay me to get surveyors so that the output is registered with government. That is a very limited use-case. There are many use-cases that would not affect registering with government.
The public should be warned that this will give u a good photographic representation of what you call your property. Something you alone can enjoy and possibly others may admire but not something can can stand up legally for you as a properly executed SURVEY.
4. We are not claiming any legality. Nothing here states that. We are simply offering a technical solution which can power precision farming. I have surveyors like you that have signed like agents, nevertheless. They are customizing the output to make what you have but in a very inexpensive way. Their license will handle the legality. The pencil you have as a surveyor does not make you one.
Dear Sir and members of the public kindly check up the following The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, The Surveyors Council of Nigeria, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, Office of the State Surveyors General etc.
5. We know them. Our product is not against them. If you take a photo and present it to a court. The court may say it is not legal until a notary public notarizes it. But that does not mean the photo is not valid. You, the surveyors are notary public. People do the work and pay you to endorse so that the documents can be “normalized by law”. Our simple request: do not charge them much for those that want the legality element. But on the technical capability, modern tech is making doing this at 10% what the old system used to offer. We are a technical company and not a legal/surveyor/etc. We offer a technical product.
Finally, Zenvus Boundary is used in India, Kenya, Liberia, etc. It is not just Nigeria. So, we have not made this to overcome any local law. This is very important.
It is beyond endorsement, it is about precision and accuracy that is what a professional Surveyor is know for. Whatever your tool or app does as long as you are using Google map as you cliam is not accuracy as relate to survey laws and regulations in Nigeria.
If you care to know, I don’t use Tsquare or pencil to draw survey plan. The tools we use it’s about accuracy depending on the type and area of the survey. Any GPS does not do that. It is good for you to know that.
I do not know the level of accuracy you need in a farmland with a market value of N70k in a bush in Zamfara but you need the survey to tap into the CBN fund or prepare the land say for precision farming. Hiring you may cost N300K. But with my technology, the farm gets it done at N7k. As I have said, the lack of innovation in the sector is this thinking that every survey must be on the same level as though you are mapping Aso Rock. To unlock value in modern farming, NIS has to evolve. What we have is helping farmers track farm boundaries to enable precision etc at scale.
On pencil and T-square, that is actually a joke. Do they still make T-square? But get the point. Again, this is not just for Nigeria – this is a global product. I will be happy to visit NIS and educate how innovation in surveying can unlock more productivity in agriculture. Surveying is not just buildings!
100% I score you on reaction to queries. That you have taken your time to respond to my pointjs clearly shows the points are cogent and important. I am also very happy you have reassessed your service for what it truly is a tool. Contrary to the narrative on your blog that it’s a substitute.
Your pricing is in Naira and my response is for the Nigerian public. Like I said it’s a nice innovation. One for which use can be found possibly for assessing coverage, site description but definitely and certainly not documentation for claim and ownership. This is not the position of a profession it’s the position of the law.
Mind you the fact that the CBN is using it for some donor scheme is not an endorsement. How come the same CBN is not using it for their own properties? We know and work for them too.
I am sure you too won’t buy any property on the basis of the result of the use of this as you put it ” tool”
The crux here is you put it out there that surveys of farms lands and homes can be made and found acceptable for uses that clearly outweighs what your tool offers. Thst is the reason for this comment.
Lets compare apples with apples. What surveyors offer and what your tool does are not the same thing so the issue of saving cost does not arise.
That’s the reason I and I am sure in due course others as well as the bodies I mentioned will respond and continue to do so for the benefit of the public.
This is a professional view inspired by my need to meet my professional obligation to the public I serve.
In conclusion, while I want to again commend your innovation I will advise it is better described for what it truly is and not what you try to portray it to be.
With thus I have clearly made my point as I have no intention of making this a Dailogue. Let’s just end as that from your end the public has been warned and from mine the public has been duly informed.
Thank you
Sir, you wrote “I am sure you too won’t buy any property on the basis of the result of the use of this as you put it ” tool”” I am not aware of any product in the world which can serve as a legal requirement in a regulated sector. In Ghana, similar surveys like ours are just good enough for property titles. There is nothing in the expensive one that we do not have. It is the same GIS which can be processed in many ways and printed in some formats. So, I refuse that you have anything that this cannot produce. The only issue is YES we are not licensed surveyors and do not have the stamps. The govt of Ghana has been allowing this since 2016. But I promise that Nigeria will join soon. Using an expensive tool does not mean HIGHER quality. An iPhone has better capability than those huge tools surveyors moved around. I will appreciate an invitation to your Board or ExCo meeting – we need to inform and expand the sector to help farmers. Surveying is not just for CoC, DoA, etc
Dear Sir like I had earlier said I have no intention of turning this into a dialogue. There is a world of difference between the tools used for and the practice of a profession.
Your plans put up against the cadastral plan on the issue of ownership or documentation will fall flat in Nigeria today.
You are not a Geomatics or Surveying professional and as such it will be our pleasure to help you improve your product if you so desire.
I had earlier told you and I will say it again what you have is ok. Its not novel globalmapper does the same even better and is just good for assessment.
I share your concern for the farmers and seriously if they need this assistance I will be more than willing to give them Fit For Purpose Surveys for free. I am very confident that I can get my colleagues to do same. So there is no need to talk about price lets focus on what the product can do.
Since this will be my last comment on this matter I again clearly state we do not produce the same product and yours cannot be use for title purposes in Nigeria. That’s the simple truth and you know it.
You wrote “I share your concern for the farmers and seriously if they need this assistance I will be more than willing to give them Fit For Purpose Surveys for free. I am very confident that I can get my colleagues to do same.”. They have needed this assistance for decades but no one showed interest in the profession. On doing it for free, that is not possible. I am hoping you understand that you cannot enter a bush in Zamfara and do a farm survey for free. Your statement is not possible – the cost is the labour and I am not sure you understand the implication of that statement. I am trying to get you to understand that surveys are not just for govt records. You can use surveys for many other things but you are focused on surveys must be used only for govt records. That is why we have not innovated in agriculture. Anyway, thanks for spending your time here. I am waiting for the invitation.
Good morning, having gone through the comment and your responses, i will like to pik up a statement accredited to you as saying that an iPhone has a better capability than huge tools surveyors move about.
It is better to do a thorough research before making comments. I may be educated on things i do not know or trained about.
Surveying equipment are more than what you think they are.
Such a statement is not healthy for your marketing strategy, i stand to be corrected with proof.
In all honesty, i strongly commended you with this innovation about your tool.
God bless you
Thanks for sharing your insights here. I know that the microprocessor in iPhone is more advanced than anything in any equipment used in surveying. I will be happy if you give me one surveying brand and I will prove that. In digital data processing, iPhone can pick data and analyse it better and faster for digital surveys. Please note that I am not focusing on the analog output. We are focusing on outputs which can be used for precision agriculture and integrated for remote NDVI in large farms at scale. We are not saying the same thing: my survey tool is not for building. But in what it does, it delivers digital data that is useful. I am open to discuss this if you connect for us to speak.
I want to work with you people: I hope you see value in our work. My comments on iPhone is based on what we do with it and not what you do with surveys focused for building. Our focus here is digital surveys which can be used for route planning, etc. The processor in iPhone is very advanced in many ways.
Sure – for the analog surveys, your tools should be better in what it does. But we do not do analog surveys.
I think you must have made a mistake by not consulting widely to the point of conferring with the fellows ,boards and executives of the NIS,etc before concluding your innovation process of your product,much less before launching it.
These surveyor professionals are pretty important and ought to have been accorded due recognition and credence from the beginning. I am advocating a more inclusive cross-disciplinary cooperation and strategic relationships building among African innovators .
Just my advice.
Regards,
Prince Shola Eniola, Statistician based in Nigeria
Just my advice