Madam Yaa Asantewaa, a 52-year-old crop farmer in the Bono Region, stands proudly on her ten-acre farm, holding the smartphone her grandson gifted her a year ago.
Once a luxury, this device has now become a game-changer in her farming business.
For Madam Asantewaa, digital platforms have opened up a new world of opportunities. With a simple tap on her smartphone, she can connect with buyers, purchase inputs, and access real-time market price information without leaving her farm.
“For me, any solution that addresses our challenges using technology is highly commendable. Now, I can access market prices and order inputs from the comfort of my home or farm, avoiding the usual stress and ensuring better outcomes,” she said.
Asantewaa is doing all these thanks to a digital tool called GROW by Farmerline App. The platform allows farmers and other players to buy and sell crops and inputs seamlessly, enhancing efficiency and profitability.
The digital tool is a transformative initiative designed to empower agribusinesses through a combination of innovative technology and digitisation.
A key element of the app is its offline feature, which digitises business operations and manages sales processes, including crop sourcing, input ordering, inventory, and multiple-store management.
Agritech platforms, such as Farmerline, exemplify how digital tools can transform the value chain.
“Farmers no longer have to struggle to find markets for their produce. Platforms like these facilitate direct market access, improving financial stability for many in the value chain,” Francis Korankye, Head of Information Technology at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), explained.
For over three decades, Madam Asantewaa struggled with post-harvest losses due to limited access to markets. Like her, Christopher Oppong, a farmer in Nsoatre, battled price volatility and the challenge of finding ready buyers for his produce.
These challenges highlight the struggles faced by Ghanaian farmers, emblematic of the broader issues plaguing the agricultural sector, including limited resources, climate change, and the need for sustainable practices.
A New Dawn for Agriculture
According to Francis Korankye, Head of Information Technology at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the sector’s longstanding challenges demand innovative solutions to boost productivity, minimise environmental impact, and secure food supplies for a growing population.
“The agricultural sector’s challenges require innovative approaches to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance access to nutritious food for all. Addressing these challenges is crucial for building a resilient agricultural sector capable of meeting present and future demands,” he said.
Mr Korankye noted that Ghana’s agricultural landscape has rapidly evolved, offering unprecedented opportunities through agricultural technology (agritech) solutions. These innovations include digital platforms that connect farmers to markets, enabling them to bypass intermediaries and secure fair prices.
Such platforms align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2), which seeks to eradicate hunger, enhance food security, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
Addressing Barriers to Adoption
While agritech solutions hold immense promise, challenges remain. Many platforms lack customisation to meet the specific needs of smallholder farmers, such as accounting for local languages, cultural contexts, or literacy levels. This limits accessibility for rural farmers, who form the backbone of the sector.
Another significant barrier is limited access to digital devices. Many farmers still rely on basic feature phones, colloquially called “yams,” or lack mobile phones entirely. Poor digital infrastructure, especially in remote areas, further hinders the adoption of these transformative tools.
Mr Korankye acknowledged the need for more investment in digital infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity in underserved communities. “There’s still much work to be done to bring digital solutions to every farmer, no matter thei
Towards a Digital Agricultural Revolution
Despite these hurdles, the integration of agritech solutions into Ghana’s agriculture sector marks a pivotal step towards a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable future. As more farmers embrace digital tools, the potential for revolutionising the value chain and boosting food security grows ever brighter.
This report is produced by Frank Addo Aboagye under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop.