FarmConnect Kano
Connecting smallholder farmers to markets
An agricultural technology app that helps smallholder farmers in Kano State find buyers and get fair prices for their produce, reducing post-harvest losses and eliminating exploitative middlemen.
The Challenge
Small-scale farmers in Kano, particularly women farmers, often lack access to market information and are forced to sell their produce at unfairly low prices to middlemen. Post-harvest losses can reach up to 40% for perishable goods like tomatoes and vegetables, causing significant economic hardship for farming families.
The Solution
FarmConnect is a mobile marketplace where farmers can list their produce with photos and prices, connecting directly with buyers including restaurants, hotels, and household consumers. The app features real-time price information from major markets, a logistics coordination system for delivery, weather alerts for farming planning, and a community forum where farmers share tips and best practices.
Impact
Overall Winner of the STEMify Africa Challenge 2023. Team received $60,000 Clarkson University scholarships each. The platform has registered over 500 farmers and facilitated transactions worth N50 million, reducing post-harvest losses by an estimated 25% for participating farmers.
"Before this app, I would lose much of my tomatoes because I didn't know who wanted to buy. Now I can plan my harvest better and get fair prices. These young girls have changed our lives."
— Hajiya Amina, Participating Farmer
Where Are They Now?
Team members are in their second year at Clarkson University, studying Computer Science and Agricultural Engineering.
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