By Faridat Salifu
A new agri-tech platform, HarvestCalc, has officially launched its pilot phase in Akwa Ibom State to address post-harvest losses and connect Nigerian farmers to both local and global offtakers.
Launched recently , the platform is designed to enhance the agricultural value chain by improving market access, ensuring consistent raw material supply, and reducing produce losses that currently affect up to 40% of smallholder farmers’ output.
Ebele Ajaba, Country Director of HarvestCalc, described the platform as “a revolutionary digital solution born from firsthand experience with smallholder farmers,” and noted its potential to support both local consumption and industrial growth.
Ajaba said 500 farmers have already been enrolled in Akwa Ibom, where the company also set up a local workforce to support the platform’s rollout.
She noted that the state was chosen for its strong agricultural performance and alignment with initiatives like “Produce for Lagos,” which promote supply chain efficiency and inter-state collaboration.
“Our approach is holistic,” Ajaba added. “We are building a digital backbone not just for agriculture but for Africa’s manufacturing and economic transformation.”
The platform allows farmers to list available produce in real time, while processors and offtakers—including manufacturers—can connect directly with verified supply.
It also integrates data analytics and quality control to support planning by government agencies and large-scale buyers.
Founder of HarvestCalc, Chigozie Ubanagu, said the Akwa Ibom pilot was more than a launch—it marked the start of a national movement to reposition agriculture as a globally competitive sector.
He added that the platform’s first-year goals include onboarding 50,000 farmers, cutting post-harvest losses by 20% in pilot states, and contributing to raw material availability for Nigeria’s industrial sector.
To reach rural farmers, the platform uses a hybrid model, combining offline-compatible tools in local languages with onboarding support through local governments and Zenith Bank outlets.
HarvestCalc is backed by partnerships with Zenith Bank, Care Safety Innovations (UK), and state agriculture ministries, and is preparing for a national launch supported by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
