Kenneth Afor with agency report
Nigeria’s first digital agribusiness platform, Farmcrowdy has signed a partnership deal with the Oyo state government to engage farmers in the state to maximize the new opportunities in agribusiness which is making farmers have access to adequate funds, carry out modern farming activities and improve their livelihood.
The partnership, signed during the week, was in fulfillment of the state government’s mandate in redefining good governance with a focus on people-centered policies and to expand the economy of the state using agribusiness.
Speaking at the unveiling of the partnership, governor Oluwasey Makinde said, “We promised to explore public-private partnership models to achieve our aim for agriculture. Yesterday, I welcomed the Agritech Company, Farmcrowdy at the launch of a partnership with Oyo State for agribusiness. I believe the partnership will be mutually beneficial to Farmcrowdy and the people of our State.”
Onyeka Akumah, founder of Farmcrowdy said the partnership will remove the clutters farmers are having which has hindered the growth of agriculture in the state.
He said, “We are investing in agribusiness in Oyo State within the next three years and connecting no less than 50,000 small scale farmers in the state with solutions to various bottlenecks mitigating against the growth of their farm businesses. This would surely have a positive impact on their lives and in the end, everyone would be happy with the outcome of the project.”
One of the major problems facing farmers in the country is access to funds and taking their farm produce to the markets but with the innovative presence of the various agritech firms such as Farmcrowdy, it will give farmers fewer worries in getting adequate funds for their farm business and selling their farm produce for maximum profits.
Kenton Dashiell, deputy director-general, partnerships for delivery, Institute of International Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and Larry Umunna, regional director West Africa, Technoserve, promised that their organization will provide the necessary technological support for farmers in the state with the aim of seeing farmers get more from their labour.
Kenneth Obiajulu, managing director, Farmcrowdy added that the partnership with the state government will boost the state’s economy through agribusiness.
He said, “Farmcrowdy is excited to launch this strategic agricultural partnership with Oyo State using our model which has enabled us to engage 25,000+ farmers to cultivate 16,000 acres of farmland across 14 states in Nigeria. We have raised 2,500,000+ chickens and cows, and we supply 30% of the beef eaten in 3 major eateries in Lagos (with 25 outlets). We hope to help Oyo State build a thriving economy through agriculture.”
