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Writes AGRA
For over a decade, AGRA has been at the forefront of promoting innovations in the agriculture space. These innovations have fuelled growth in the agriculture sector in Africa. In under 10 years, the agricultural GDP in Africa has seen significant growth. In 2022, agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed around 17% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, which is an increase of over two percentage points compared to 2011. This growth reflects the sector’s importance in the continent’s economy and its role in providing employment and food security, and most is attributed to innovations and mobile phone penetration.
NIGERIA
Crop2Cash: Transforming Agricultural Finance in Nigeria
For example, AGRA supports innovative financial solutions like Crop2Cash, which provides input finance through the USSD code 34746#. This initiative helps smallholder farmers access the resources they need to improve their farming practices and increase yields.
Crop2Cash operates in Kaduna, Niger, and Jigawa states, providing innovative input finance solutions through the USSD code 34746#. By collaborating with 23 smart agents in Kaduna, who earn commissions for their services, Crop2Cash aims to make agricultural finance more accessible to smallholder farmers.
Initially, the goal of the Crop2Cash grant was to support 3,000 farmers, with a primary focus on women and youth. Remarkably, they have surpassed this target, reaching 5,000 farmers. This accomplishment highlights their dedication to empowering local communities and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Through their efforts, Crop2Cash has made significant strides in transforming the agricultural finance landscape, ensuring that more farmers have the resources they need to thrive. This visit underscores the impactful work Crop2Cash is doing to support smallholder farmers and boost agricultural productivity in the region.
ETHIOPIA
Abrhame Endrias and Lersha: Redefining Ethiopian Agriculture
Abrhame Endrias, the Founder and Managing Director of Green Agro Solutions (GAS), is revolutionizing Ethiopian agriculture with his innovative platform, Lersha. Inspired by his father’s agricultural insights and driven by a passion for digital farming, Abrhame aims to make farming simple, efficient, and accessible for everyone.
Lersha employs a “phygital” model, combining digital tools with personalized support to provide practical solutions to farmers. The platform offers mechanization services, market linkages, and climate-smart advisories, supporting over 241,000 farmers across Ethiopia1.
Abrhame’s journey from a teacher to a visionary entrepreneur showcases his commitment to empowering smallholder farmers and fostering resilience in the agricultural sector.
Tanzania
Cultivating Confidence: The Journey of Innovation and Trust – Quincewood in Tanzania
Quincewood, an agricultural enterprise in Tanzania, has embarked on a remarkable journey of innovation and trust. Led by visionary entrepreneur Fatma Fernandes, Quincewood has revolutionized farming practices in the region, empowering local farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural development.
In 2021, we profiled Quincewood, a trailblazing AgTech company from Tanzania, driven by a simple yet transformative mission: to restore dignity to farming and empower those who feed our nations. At the time, the company had just begun to redefine agricultural systems through it’s innovative platforms. Three years later, the Quincewood story has fast evolved into a beacon of growth and resilience, with its roots firmly planted in its founding idea: farmers deserve better than uncertainty – and that trust, dignity, and connection must be at the heart of every solution.
Quincewood’s story is one of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that with the right support and vision, farmers can thrive and contribute to a prosperous agricultural future.
