Through the application of innovative tools and business models, digital technology is contributing to the transformation of the agricultural sector.
This has resulted in the adoption of digitization and access to real-time data, artificial intelligence, credit and e-commerce platforms that connect farmers directly with markets, and mechanized tools, all of which contribute to the profitability of many people in the value chain, especially small farmers.
Digital agro-based solutions are being implemented or adjusted in many African markets on the farm and along the value chain to provide small-scale farmers and remote business owners with a myriad of goods and services to boost agricultural production and improve their livelihoods.
Over the last three years, the number of farmers who have subscribed to digital services is estimated to have increased by 40-45 percent per year, with average earnings from digitally backed farming expected to exceed $140 million.
In Nigeria, AgroXchange is at the forefront of agro-tech startups working to integrate technology and data to simplify technical precision agriculture and weather information in order to increase small-scale farmers’ efficiency and profitability.
Founded in 2018 by Adewale Adegoke, AgroXchange is a digital agro-tech company that leverages satellite data, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance Africa’s agro-industry by providing small farmers with localized agritech services.
Agroxchange collaborates with a network of over 300 field data collectors in Nigeria to profile and track farmers and has monitored over 450,000 hectares of land.
They provide a variety of services to their users, including useful information about soil conditions and crop viability; a GPS digital map of their farm perimeter; crop health information; a 14-day weather forecast and access to 5-year historical weather; and weekly email and text message notification alerts of farm issues.
Farmers can sign up through an agent or through the AgroXchange app, which is available on iOS and Android.
