Through its online platform, the app available on Android, iOS and Windows mobile devices, sources funds from sponsors, whose money is used to secure land, plant crops and meet the funding needs of boosting food production through farmers, thus empowering the farmer.
Speaking at the launch of the app in Lagos, Onyeka Akumah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-founder of Farmcrowdy, explained that the idea was birthed from desires to promote food security in the country by connecting farmers with sponsors.
“We have about 38 million small-scale farmers in the country that are regarded as un-bankable; they lack adequate Agro-technology practice and access to a market for the farm produce.
“With our platform, we have been able to bridge these gaps by connecting people, who are interested in agriculture but lack the skill and time, to actually fund credible farmers. With the newly launched App which is currently on Google Play Store, it is even easier for investors to monitor farms they invested in.
“Even without being an investor, everyone can benefit from the App through information from experts on how to manage a backyard farm, as well as to monitor farms before deciding to sponsor any. It gives information on agriculture generally.”
Speaking on the app with is themed ‘Farm in the pocket’, Onyeka noted the launch of the Farmcrowdy mobile app would provide a more accessible platform for agriculture enthusiasts to experience, learn and appreciate agriculture practice first-hand.
Since the launch of its website 12 months ago, Farmcrowdy has recorded up to 1,000 unique farm sponsors, aggregated a combined 4,000 acres of farmland in Nigeria for farming purpose and grown over 150,000 organic chickens to date. Having worked with close to 2,000 small-scale farmers in Nigeria already, the vast majority of Farmcrowdy sponsors are based in Nigeria, whilst 10 per cent are located in the US and UK.
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