By Grace Ademulegun
ThriveAgric is an agricultural initiative that investigates a comprehensive array of agricultural technology solutions designed to provide maximum value at the lowest possible costs for smallholder farmers and other key stakeholders, ultimately contributing to food security for both Africa and the global community.
Their primary objective is to create sustainable value for smallholder farmers by offering the following services: input financing, development and training, technology solutions, post-harvest services, access to premium markets, and promoting social and financial inclusion.
Through their unique technology, the Agricultural Operating System (AOS), they support multiple applications that facilitate and improve various facets of their operations while generating significant data advantages for the agricultural ecosystem.
At the start of each farming season, they select farmer communities to collaborate with and meet with their community leaders to familiarize them with their strategies for enhancing agricultural profitability for their farmers.
Subsequently, they gather essential information from eligible and interested farmers utilizing their AOS, including details such as name, location, gender, and facial recognition.
They then organize these farmers into clusters based on their community and appoint a group leader for improved management, training, and development.
After the onboarding process, they determine the coordinates and assess the size of each farmer’s field using their AOS. They also evaluate the field’s viability, focusing on aspects such as soil texture, slope, and proximity to water for efficient irrigation.
Utilizing farm mapping information and assessing creditworthiness, they then calculate and allocate loans to each farmer via their group leader.
These loans are provided as high-quality and sufficient farm inputs, such as upgraded seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection products. They finance through these farm inputs rather than through cash.
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Once the farmers receive the farm inputs, they start planting, and field officers are designated to specific clusters of farmers to provide customized advice, ensure compliance with data-driven best practices, and monitor progress until harvest. They observe, capture images, and record the dates of planting and fertilizer application, along with other significant activities throughout the farming season.
During the harvest season, they provide the necessary materials for collecting the harvest, receive and document farmer produce for storage and digital payment once it reaches their warehouses.
At this point, farmers pay back their loans with a portion of their produce, according to the previously agreed quantities, while the remainder of their harvest is retained as profit.
They keep all produce in their warehouses while monitoring market prices, and then sell at optimal times to off-takers from both local and international markets with whom they have developed partnerships.
Uka Eje, who co-founded and serves as CEO of the agritech firm, ThriveAgric, is initiating a pilot program throughout Nigeria, with intentions to broaden the initiative into Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya as well.
The plan involves planting one hectare (2.47 acres) of fruit-bearing trees such as mango and guava alongside each hectare of crops like corn, rice, and soybeans. As these trees capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, farmers will generate carbon credits that can be acquired by industries via the multi-national bank, Rabobank.
This strategy aims to enhance revenue for the agricultural sector while also mitigating Africa’s impact on climate change. ThriveAgric is set to launch this long-awaited program in early 2025.
According to Samirah Bello, global head of relationship at ThriveAgric, “we are trying to ensure that they start with the upcoming farming season, which begins in March,” adding, “However, we must complete all of the training before then to make sure the farmers begin practicing what they need to in order to prepare for the season. We’re considering at least 30,000 farmers.”
With an anticipated extension to 200,000 or more after the program established itself, that minimum should increase quickly.
A rising portion of Africa will be able to cool the earth and feed its people with a single undertaking. END
Source: Time100 Climate 2024
