Innovative agricultural technology (agritech) solutions and strategic digital marketing initiatives are poised to empower burgeoning agricultural startups. A collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Bopinc, facilitated under the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) program, is actively bridging the technological gap for small agribusinesses.
Innovative agricultural technology (agritech) solutions and strategic digital marketing initiatives are poised to empower burgeoning agricultural startups. A collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Bopinc, facilitated under the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) program, is actively bridging the technological gap for small agribusinesses. Focused on cocoa in Ghana, coffee in Ethiopia, and various crops in Senegal, the initiative aims to elevate operations, boost profits, enhance incomes, and create employment opportunities by processing local crops within the respective countries.
Under the Alliances for Action program, the activities encompass comprehensive elements such as market research, sustainable processing, packaging, marketing, and forging targeted commercial linkages. This initiative adopts a holistic approach, incorporating tech tools and platforms seamlessly into business operations. By integrating these technologies, businesses are not only preparing for compliance with the new EU Corporate Sustainable Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) but also enhancing data collection precision, transparency, and traceability.
A series of agritech pilots, grounded in a tested methodology and participatory approach, are actively underway in Ghana, Ethiopia, and Senegal. Bopinc, through thorough assessments of digital needs, identified the necessity for businesses to digitalize their processes using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. These systems enhance transparency and traceability, aligning operations with regulations such as the EU CS3D directive.
In Senegal, the focus is on enhancing the competitiveness and market access of local cashew nut processor Zena through tailor-made tech solutions. In Ghana, a pilot project involving the Fair Trade-certified Kuapa Kokoo Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union Limited (KKFU) promises digitalization and technological advancements for cocoa farmers. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, a pilot project aims to establish an automated system for tracking coffee production, enhancing efficiency for the Bench Maji Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union.
A second pilot in Ethiopia pairs the Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union with tech company AgUnity to develop cooperative manager systems, addressing compliance with EU legislations. This includes registering the GPS coordinates of 3,000 farmers, a crucial tool for adhering to the EU’s regulations on deforestation-free products. Notably, businesses involved in these pilots will gain access to a comprehensive directory of digital tools, marking a groundbreaking initiative by ITC, with plans to replicate this approach across various countries.
Designed for sustainability beyond the project's lifespan, these pilots receive co-funding from beneficiaries and contribute to the capacity building of business service organizations. This strategic approach ensures the transfer of knowledge and tools at the national level, fostering the digital transformation of the agribusiness sector.
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