Farmerline bridges the information gap for smallholder farmers in West Africa by making agricultural data readily accessible through voice- and SMS-based mobile phone services.

Smallholder farmers living in rural areas of developing countries typically lack internet access, computer literacy, formal education and financial planning assistance. Farmerline is dedicated to solving this problem by developing information and communication technologies that connect farmers with timely and relevant agricultural data such as weather alerts, best farming practices, the latest market prices, and other financial or health tips.

This social enterprise’s platform allows farmers to receive incoming calls and alerts via SMS and voice services in local languages, in order to reach all farmers regardless of literacy levels or languages spoken. Farmers can also make outgoing calls to receive expert advice, while agricultural organisations and NGOs can conduct surveys with thousands of farmers to enhance the services they provide to the farmers.

Being social entrepreneurs just happened by trying to make a little change in our corners.

Alloysius Attah – Co-founder and CEO, Farmerline

Why you should care

Farmerline offers a technological solution that not only bridges the literacy barrier in rural smallholder farming communities, but also reduces the transaction costs of communication between farmers and the organisations working with them. Given the widespread use of mobile phones among rural farming communities in West Africa, the service aims to help farmers and their communities become more prosperous and healthy.

How the Global Goals are addressed

SDG4 Quality education

Quality Education

Farmerline educates farmers on best practices and informs them of regional market prices, allowing them to be more productive farmers and more competitive when negotiating sales.

SDG5

Gender Equality

Farmerline’s services are accessible regardless of literacy level, and their specific focus on female farmers also helps bridge gender gaps, promoting women's inclusion.

Reduced Inequalities

Farmerline is a tool to help smallholder farmers – particularly women – become more prosperous by using technology to improve their crop yields and incomes.