User guide

The BAM Agribusiness Library answers questions about running an agribusiness. Every answer comes from the Global Sowers five-book handbook, and it shows which part of the handbook it used. You can use it on the website or in Telegram, by typing or by voice, in your own language.

Getting started

1. Create an account with your email, with Google, or with a login link sent to your email. You don't need a password.
2. Choose your language first. The welcome questions, and the library's answers, will be in that language.
3. Answer the short welcome questions about you and your business. They take about 3 minutes.
4. The Global Sowers team looks at your answers and gives you access. You will hear from them by email (or in Telegram).

If someone added your phone number for you, open the library in Telegram instead (see "Using Telegram" below).

Asking a question

• Type your question in the box at the bottom and press the arrow button.
• The answer appears with small numbers, like [1]. They show which part of the handbook the answer used. The sources are listed under the answer.
• Tap one of the example questions to try the library.
• The "☰" button shows your earlier conversations. "+ New conversation" starts a fresh one when you change topic.
• Rate an answer with 👍 or 👎. It helps the team improve the library.

Voice messages

When the question box is empty, the button at the bottom right is a microphone.

1. Tap the microphone and speak your question. A countdown shows how long you have left. A voice message can be up to 30 seconds long.
2. Tap pause (⏸) to stop for a moment. Tap play (▶) to listen to your message.
3. Tap the microphone again to carry on recording, if you have time left.
4. Tap the arrow to send it, or the bin to delete it.

When the countdown reaches 0:00, recording stops. You can still listen to it, then send or delete it.

Once you type something, the microphone changes into the arrow for sending.

Hearing answers read aloud

• Tick "Read aloud" (above the question box) to hear each answer as it arrives. Untick it for silence.
• Tap 🔊 under any answer to hear that answer.
• Choose the voice on your Account page, under "Voice for spoken answers". Type to search, for example "male", and tap ▶ to hear a sample.

Photos

Tap 📷 to add a photo of a crop, product or problem, and type a question about it. The library looks at the photo and answers from the handbook.

Searching the web

Tick "Web" to also search the internet, for example for current prices or suppliers. The answer shows which web pages it used. Web searches use more of your monthly allowance.

Your language

• Your answer language is on your Account page.
• Choose "Auto-detect" to be answered in whatever language you write or speak in. This is useful when you travel.

Using Telegram

You can use the library in Telegram, on the phone with your number.

1. Add your mobile number on your Account page, with the country code (for example +855…).
2. In Telegram, open the library bot and tap "Start".
3. Tap "📱 Share my phone number". Telegram confirms the number is yours. It must be the number saved on your account.

Then you can type a question, send a voice message (you get a spoken answer too), or send a photo with a question. These commands also work:

• /new starts a fresh conversation.
• /language chooses your answer language, or Auto.
• /voice chooses the voice for spoken answers, for example "/voice male".
• /person asks the Global Sowers team to contact you.
• /help shows these commands.

Your monthly allowance

Each account has a monthly allowance for using the library. Long answers, photos, web searches and voice use more of it. Your Account page shows how much you have used and when it renews.

Talking to a person

Choose "Talk to a person" at the bottom of the page and write a short note. The Global Sowers team will contact you. In Telegram, send /person.

Privacy and safety

• Your conversations are encrypted. The Global Sowers team can read a conversation when you ask for help or the library flags it for safety or human support.
• You can delete your conversations at any time on your Account page.
• Please don't include names of other people or exact locations in your questions.
• Your Telegram chat stays on your phone. If others could check your phone, delete the chat after use.
• If you are in danger, or someone is, the library will suggest getting help. Please also contact a person you trust.

Putting the library on your phone's home screen

On Android, open the website in Chrome, tap the menu (⋮), then "Add to Home screen". On iPhone, open it in Safari, tap Share, then "Add to Home Screen". The library then opens like an app.

What's new

"What's new", at the bottom of every page, lists the latest changes and new features.