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Welcoming Farmerline to Energise Africa
Learn how Farmerline are pioneering tech solutions for smallholder farmers in West Africa, tackling the causes and effects of climate change
As we continue to expand and diversify the range of investment opportunities listed on Energise Africa, we are pleased to welcome Farmerline to the platform, with their first bond offer, helping empower smallholder farmers in Ghana to increase their income, grow and expand, while adopting climate-smart farming methods. In this article, we briefly introduce Farmerline and look at the positive impact they are helping to create on the farmers, economy and environment in West Africa.
Introducing Farmerline
Farmerline is an agri-tech company based in Ghana that was founded in 2012 when CEO Alloysius Attah and COO Emmanuel Addai met at university and discovered the power of technology to improve the lives of millions of farmers.
Agri-tech refers to the use of digital tools and technology in farming and has the potential to increase productivity and yields, reduce expenses, and promote sustainability it is increasingly important as climate change poses a greater threat to food security.
Farmerline gives farmers access to high-quality production inputs and training on how to mitigate the effects of climate change through technological solutions. Its solutions also help farmers quickly access markets to increase their incomes and decrease waste and loss following harvest.
The company’s insight and vision to support smallholder farmers across West Africa have led to its exponential growth and impact year-on-year to become one of Ghana’s largest private employers. Farmerline knows there is scope to achieve much more, continuing to develop and grow to support the movement of goods and services that are desperately needed by smallholder farmers in rural areas of West Africa and developing the vital infrastructure (warehouses and distribution networks) that’s required.
Farmerline’s ambition is to reach the tens of millions of smallholder farmers already farming in West Africa, and the positive impact they could create is huge, helping boost productivity and income.
They also run Mission 13, a climate action initiative committed to empowering farmers, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Mission 13 addresses the challenges posed by plastic pollution and climate change, securing a brighter future for future generations.
Supporting climate adaptation in Africa
The sustainable farming methods that Farmerline are helping cut emissions form the agricultural sector – which is the third biggest contributor to climate change – but beyond that, they are committed to helping smallholder farmers weather the negative impact that climate change has on their livelihoods.
Africa is only responsible for 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, but the continent bears the brunt of the effects anyway, with smallholder farmers in particular suffering from unpredictable weather patterns and a lack of knowledge about how to prepare for and protect themselves from climate change. Farmerline is committed to equipping more smallholder farmers with the knowledge, tools and supplies they need to mitigate the negative effects. For example, they can supply drought resistant seeds and fertilisers that improve the health of the soil to help produce better crops.
The potential for agriculture in West Africa
With smallholder farming accounting for over 60% of the continent's population and producing roughly 23% of its GDP, agriculture in Africa is already a significant industry. However, the full agricultural potential of Africa is still untapped.
A report from McKinzie and Company (1) in 2019 found that Africa can be two to three times more productive of cereal and coarse grain as well as other crops. The report identified several barriers to this growth, including the increased need for fertiliser and seed, infrastructure and an improved marketplace.
Similarly, Farmerline identified the key barriers to the expansion of agricultural output in West Africa as a lack of access to quality farm inputs, up-to-par infrastructure like warehousing (especially for rural farmers), and a flourishing marketplace and has stepped in to help farmers overcome them.
Improving prosperity for smallholder farmers
An easy way to look at Farmerline’s services is to see them as an ‘Amazon for farmers’. Through their innovative technology and infrastructure, they are giving farmers - even in rural areas - access to the inputs they need (e.g., fertiliser and seed) and a marketplace to sell their produce to help maximise their returns.
Farmerline is also dedicated to supporting farmers with vital training, giving them all the tools they need to boost their crops and create better income for themselves and their families.
Farmerline also recognises the key role of female farmers in African agriculture and aims to empower them by providing targeted support and resources for female farmers.
One female Ghanian smallholder farmer, Salima Zachari, explains how Farmerline has helped her improve her and her family’s lives:
“I couldn’t further my education, but since farming was a family business, it was easy to continue and little by little, make profit. Now I am a proud owner of a 3-bedroom house and I’ve been able to extend my support to other family members, especially my mum… That’s why companies like Farmerline are very dear to me, they give both male and female farmers support as long as you are determined to make it.”
Through their pioneering credit facilities, Farmerline were able to provide Salima with the grains and fertiliser she needed, allowing her to pay for them later, when her profits had increased. She is just one of thousands of farmers that Farmerline has helped to transform their farming businesses to create decent incomes.
Boosting production for West Africa
Of course, along with the material benefits for smallholder farmers, the services offered by Farmerline are helping West Africa fulfil its agricultural potential. By increasing the outputs of smallholder farmers, many rural economies will benefit, including increased job opportunities and a knock-on economic benefit for all. Farmers in rural villages have struggled in the past to access the inputs and support they need, but thanks to Farmerline, that is changing for them.
Supporting more sustainable farming
As well as a vision of supporting smallholder farmers in Africa to become more productive, Farmerline is also committed to providing training on sustainable farming practices, including protecting local ecosystems, minimising food waste and how to better deal with the adverse effects of climate change.
What your investment will do
Farmerline’s first bond raise on Energise Africa aims to raise £300,000. These funds will enable them to provide credit facilities to smallholder farmers, helping them access the high-quality fertiliser, seeds and equipment needed to maximise their income while helping to close the over US$2.5 billion annual climate financing gap for smallholder farmers in Africa (2). Investments in the bond offer start at £50 and target a return of 6.5%.
Visit the Farmerline profile on Energise Africa here