More than 60% of sub-Saharan Africans are smallholder farmers, but the true potential of agriculture in Africa is yet to be tapped…

In Europe, over 44 million jobs are provided through agriculture and food-related industries, including regular work for 20 million people within the agricultural sector itself. Due to its value chain innovation in technical skills of its farmers and quality, the EU is one of the world's leading producers and exporters of agricultural products.

In a continent like Africa, the key to economic growth and prosperity lies in the Agriculture sector. Africa holds two-thirds of the world’s remaining arable land and Nigeria holds 60% of all arable lands in West Africa covering over 80 million hectares of uncultivated arable lands. Which is why at Farmforte, we believe that Africa’s greatest opportunity to play on the global scene lies in Agriculture. Yet, one of the most challenging factors facing the smallholder farmers in Africa is the issue of post-harvest losses.

Post-harvest losses are caused by a number of factors including poor transportation, poor preservation of produce e.t.c. But the major factor of post-harvest losses is inadequate storage facilities and poor logistics.

At Farmforte, we are helping to create the most affordable and innovative solutions to storage and logistics, by educating smallholder farmers on the best methods of storage. For example, for storing our sesame seeds, we use hermetically sealed bags to maintain freshness. For sweet potatoes curing, our harvest is stored at 28°C for seven days, then gradually reduced until 12°C and afterwards, shipped in temperature control containers.

Guaranteed market access is also a vital part of the triangle of profitable success for smallholder farmers. At Farmforte, we provide reliable access to local and global markets for smallholder farmers. We buy up all our smallholder farmers produce and add value, thereby giving them a guaranteed income and greater potential for profit. After purchase from our smallholder farmers, the goods are sorted for raw and processed shipping. Preharvest, we educate our smallholder farmers on international agricultural standards and the appropriate use of pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and other farm inputs to reduce loss, increase quality and maximize profits.

The collaboration between Farmforte and smallholder farmers is rooted in a shared goal: to create positive sustainability outcomes in agricultural supply chains, and this partnership has established mechanisms that will continue to build a positive economic impact on smallholder farmers and Africa in years to come.