About
Jiva is a technology-enabled platform and mobile app that improves the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and transforms agricultural supply chains in a shared value model. Jiva is a holistic platform that offers free personalized agronomic advice, extends loans for farm inputs, sells and delivers inputs and purchases crops at harvest. Jiva is backed by Olam International, a global food and agri-business company.
Capability and features
Farmers are offered free advisory services as well as access to ‘micro-collectors’ (micro-aggregators who are often farmers themselves). Many former third-party buyers become micro-collectors on behalf of Jiva, collecting crops from farmers in exchange for a regular income. Jiva has a standalone application designed for micro-collectors Through an assigned micro-collector, farmers access low-cost loans to buy inputs through Jiva’s inputs store and delivery service.
Jiva operates a buy-now-pay-at-harvest credit model, creating a “closed loop” in which farmers buy inputs on credit, pay back with their harvest and guarantee Jiva the sale.
Jiva uses a dual physical and digital model, which allows their technology and product teams to rapidly optimize and update the advisory, pricing, routing and other services to meet live conditions on the ground.
Jiva uses data generated by the product to assess the credit model, tweak and evolve the farmer advisory service and provide a wider range of products on their e-commerce store. Jiva is a profit-for-purpose venture, so the more data they collect, the more value they can share with farmers and micro-collectors.
Jiva uses a deep upstream procurement model, powered by an expanding network of local entrepreneurs, creating relationships with farmers at the source.
Progress to date
As of March 2022, Jiva has about 70,000 users. It has procured more than 100,000 tons of corn from smallholder farmers and provided inputs to about 4,000 farmers
Jiva Ag is currently operating all business units in Indonesia and a separate advisory service, AgriCentral, in India. After initial success with corn in Indonesia, Jiva Ag intends to improve the advisory service and build robust data capturing mechanisms, as well as launch the finance, inputs and offtakes businesses in India leveraging AgriCentral’s relationship with over 5 million farmers.
About
Fefifo is building a digital platform (DDFN) that uses a model-led approach to standardise farming procedures and digitalise farm management processes for contract farming. Fefifo enables existing smallholder farmers and young agri-graduates in South East Asia to start commercial smallholder farms in ready-to-farm modern farm spaces called Co-farms. These farms are like renting a pre-fitted office with managed farm services and guaranteed off-take.
DDFN is available to other contract farming businesses to help them manage and empower their farmer suppliers. DDFN is made up of a web portal which is used by the contract farming business, and a mobile app which is used by their farmer suppliers.
Capability and features
At the core of the DDFN system is a robust crop model. The DDFN crop models define agronomic parameters, crop cycle schedules, growing protocols, agri-input requirements, labour and other opex costs for each crop, using data to simulate how key factors interplay with each other and influence key operational outcomes, profitability and even the optimum pre-harvest loan. The crop models then form the basis for automating and standardising crop management and growing protocols for a distributed network of farmer suppliers. The Contract farming buyer can establish their own models or choose to adopt a crop models that Fefifo has already developed.
DDFN, via the mobile app turns the farmer suppliers’ entire seed-to-sale process into simple-to-use digital workflows which the contracting business can monitor:
Finally, digital workflows across harvest picking, sorting, packing and delivery enable real-time updates for managing harvest sales as a network for and clarity on cycle harvest profitability for both the famer suppliers and contracting businesses.
Progress to date
DDFN crop models have been built for chili, rockmelon, ginger, brinjal and lettuce. Fefifo has begun using DDFN with a small number of trial farmers in these crops.
DDFN is currently available to other contract farming businesses on a trial basis.
About
Smartfarms Network is an impact organization engaged in creating sustainable livelihood for smallholder farmers in Asia. Through its innovative “mySmartfarm” digital platform (a combination of a web portal + mobile app) and network of Smarthub farmer service centers, it intends to raise farmer incomes and reduce risk.
Due to fragmented nature and last mile issues, small farms are often excluded from economic growth. mySmartfarm uses a holistic approach called CARES to build farm communities driven by common purpose and shared learnings. CARES stands for:
Connect – direct connectivity between farmer and input manufacturers, insurers, financiers, etc.
Advisory – customised farm management advice for each user.
Risk Management – training on how to manage diseases, pests and other risks.
Empower – building cohesive communities and creating collective strength.
Sustain – build sustainable livelihoods for all farmers.
mySmartfarm is free for farmers to use, with communities experiencing more benefits as more farmers come onboard. Smartfarms instead generates revenue through corporate subscriptions, as well as making a small margin on what is sold through the platform.
Capability and features
Farmers can use the mobile app or a specialised hotline to receive customized farm management advice. The mobile app gives them access to their own data, as well as a direct connection to input/output companies. This results in higher farmgate prices, lower input costs and higher farm productivity.
Input manufacturers have a direct connection with farmers and access to data on farm performance. This creates a low-cost distribution channel and higher impact on farm performance through direct connectivity and predictive performance data analysis.
Governments gain access to farm data and outreach for Government sponsored programs and initiatives.
Progress to date
mySmartfarm has over 100 farmers to date, thanks to a successful farmer adoption test in the Philippines. Smartfarms Network Pte Ltd are currently prototyping the MVP for digital platform, and have the support of one of the largest corporates in the Philippines in building an integrated feed gate to market supply chain solution for their hog feed business.
About
Ricult improves the lives of smallholder farmers in Thailand through a data-driven mobile platform that helps farmers improve farming productivity and reduce cost, resulting in higher income. Leveraging machine learning to model weather forecast, soil data, and satellite imagery, Ricult provides data-driven recommendations and insights to farmers to make the best possible farming decision to increase their income. Ricult technology has been shown to
increase the farmers’ income by over 50% in Thailand. Their model is sustainable and impactful, making the app free for farmers, while using the data to empower different stakeholders such as banks to create farmers credit score and agricultural mills for supply chain monitoring.
Capability and features
Through a smartphone app, farmers can get access to key farming information such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, and sunlight forecasts. Satellite imagery to helps farmers scout for problem in the field , while social forums/chat allows farmers to ask farming/pricing questions of agronomists and other farmers.
Extension workers use the Ricult dashboard and management system to manage and monitor farmers and keep track of farmers’ data. They also receive agronomic tips & weather forecast that can be passed on to farmers.
Lenders benefit from the risk monitoring and credit score features, based on the data that farmers input and weather forecast that can have huge effect on potential crop yield. This helps lenders identify a farmers’ ability to repay a loan, as well as seeing an aggregated overview of the farmers in the portfolio. Once high risk farmers are identified, field agents can be sent to offer assistance.
Progress to date
Ricult has been awarded the best Agricultural Tech in Thailand by the Royal Thai Government,
been named the best Social Enterprise in Southeast Asia and Oceania in the Global Social Venture Competition, won the Fintech Disrupt Challenge organized by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and awarded Innovative Agribusiness by United Nations Industrial Developmental Organization.
Over 10,000 farmers have used the platform, and Ricult has partnerships with large banks, telecommunications companies, and a range of large agricultural institutions.
Ricult’s next step is to open the platform to all of Thailand and Pakistan.
About
Tanijoy is a sharia agriculture investment platform that empowers local smallholder farmers through investments, end-to-end technical assistance. This creates easier access to the market, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods. Lenders receive frequent investment updates, and farmers receive easy access to capital and support.
Capability and features
Investors uses the technology to maintain their investment project regularly. Tanijoy provides them a dashboard to see their project make progress and communicate with the farmer.
Tanijoy have a dedicated field manager in each area, who assists farmers with their daily activities.
Tanijoy generates revenue from a platform fee (3% of profit), and shares profit with the investor and farmer after selling the crops.
Progress to date
Tanijoy currently has USD210k investment under management, and 640 farmers benefitting from the program. Tanijoy plans to canalize more than USD 100M funds from investors to more than 50,000 creditworthy farmers in 2022.
About
CROWDE is an agriculture-focused fintech startup that empowers farmers across Indonesia with technology and capital. It is a a farmer-friendly financing ecosystem that connects investors seeking attractive returns with farmers that are looking for capital to grow. Farmers are able to choose the interest, scheme, repayment, and collection method that works best for them to support their business. They then list their offer on CROWDE’s platform, where investors can finance the project. This helps to create employment and support local communities.
CROWDE generates revenue through trading margins from agricultural inputs sold through their application, making the platform financially sustainable.
Capability and features
Farmers receive training from CROWDE in farming, finance, and marketing in order to change their mindset from being just a farmer to be an Agropreneur. CROWDE’s closed-loop (zero cash ecosystem) help farmers be more efficient, and the application creates the habit of documenting their decisions.
Lenders can easily access the information about the project that they are funding, periodically receiving reports that show the progress of the project. Lenders can start to invest from as small as ten thousand rupiahs (around 0.70 USD today). Lenders may also pick the project based on their preference on lending scheme: profit-sharing, Shariah or loan.
Progress to date
CROWDE has been recognised by Forbes 30 under 30 (Asia Social Entrepreneur Category), and was the winner of DBS SVCA Asia 2017.
CROWDE have worked with more than 14,000 farmers, 500 agriculture suppliers, and 132 agriculture buyers, and is partnering with several banks in Indonesia.
They also work with Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia to help them control and giving insight for every villages in Indonesia.
In three years, CROWDE aim to connect with more than 150,000 farmers in Indonesia, disburse more than 50 Million USD and start to expand the market to South East Asian Countries.
About
Slide is an integrated fintech platform that enables supply chain stakeholders to gain access to capital. Slide uses data collected within the ecosystem to generate a reliable AI credit score for quick loan approval.
The platform facilitates lending from financial institutions, impact investors or through crowdfunding, and mitigates risks by establishing a closed-loop supply chain.
Capability and features
Slide features an AI chatbot, secure QR for payment and traceability and an eWallet to facilitate transactions. Revenue is generated through platform fees and transaction fees.
Farmers use the platform to apply for loans, arrange payment and collection, and find up to date price information, thereby maximising the value of their harvests.
Traders use the platform for loans, crowdfunding and to improve traceability.
Lenders benefit from KYC data, AI Credit Scores, and to manage their loans more effectively.
Progress to date
Slide is currently used by banks and the Singaporean government, and has been audited and approved by the Singaporean and Indonesian governments. More than 500 farmers have used the platform.
Slide are collaborating with MUFG to use Slide to empower supply chains in ASEAN. BNI (Bank Negara Indonesia) white-labels Slide for international remittance, and AUB (Asia United Bank) are set to use Slide in the Philippines.
About
Agribuddy connects farmers to resources and networks. Their digital platform is both a mobile application and a web application, which farmers use alongside a “buddy” to store data and order supplies as needed. Agribuddy enables farmers to have access to capital through bank loans, as well as higher quality farm inputs.
Capability and features
Farmers get the necessary inputs to their farming needs as and when required in the value chain. The digital platform understands what farmers need (seeds, pesticides, tractors, etc.) and when they need it, so farmers can focus on farming. This reduces the stress and hassle for the farmers and significantly improves the output in terms of harvest.
Buddies are the main sources of data input into the system, and are mentors to farmers who are learning to use the digital platform. Buddies enable the connection of suppliers to farmers using the platform and also enable all aspects of transaction payment throughout the lifecycle.
Buddies who potentiallycan manage up to 50 farmers get a commission from the farming lifecycle.
The goal is to connect the input suppliers to the digital platform using a cashless transaction system. Agribuddy’s large farmer network boosts their revenues, and in the future all aspects of the transactions will be on the blockchain which improves traceability.
Progress to date
Achievements:
Agribuddy has over 47,000 registered farmers with 4,000 availing fill services, as well as partnerships with banks in Cambodia, Crop insurance companies and local governments.
Upcoming initiatives include credit rating of farmers to enable loans, harvest forecasts, and improved data tracking through IoT sensors and drones.
About
Eragano offer a range of solutions for farmers who are otherwise trapped by middle men. Eragano connect farmers to lenders, who giving them access soft loans. This helps farmers buy good quality inputs, while they also receive guidance and financial literacy training – all through the mobile app. Their unique formulas and credit scoring methodologies gives them insight into farmers’ specific needs, allowing them to prescribe the most appropriate financial and agricultural products.
Capability and features
Farmers participate in workshops to learn how to use the technology, and are provided ongoing support to build their tech literacy. They are connected to a range of partners; banks for soft loans, open markets for better prices, agricultural experts for relevant advice, and field managers for offline assistance. This frees them from middle men, who use predatory loans and offer low crop prices.
FMCGs can access good quality harvests, since farmers have expert assistance in harvesting and grading their crops. They are also able to bypass middle men, and can ensure that their purchasing in in line with their CSR policies. Eragano generates revenue through these crop sales, whilst ensuring farmers get a much better deal than what they would have otherwise received.
Lenders receive access to trusted and recommended farmers, who will then purchase financial products.
Progress to date
Achievements:
Eragano has over 5,000 farmers to date, with some farmers currently supplying to Unilever. They have been recognised by Swiss Innovation, Women In Tech, Asian Ricebowl Start Up and awarded “Best agriculture startup (Telkomsel Version)”. The team are currently developing Eragano station centres in Indonesia.
About
Cropital is a financial platform for smallholder farmers, serving as an alternative to predatory loan sharks. Cropital enables value chain financing, which improves profitability of farmers and decreases risks for lenders.
Cropital enters a community by establishing a local program that gathers farmer’s details, led by a community manager. Each farmer is assessed and given a credit score, then Cropital makes recommendations to both the farmer and a lender about how a mutually beneficial arrangement can be structured. Funding comes from a crowdsourced pool of lenders, who want to support farmers through fair financing.
Capability and features
Farmers are able to join a contract growing program whereby they have access to low-interest loans (typically at rates of approx. 12%), interventions that can increase yields, appropriate financial products and fair market prices for their harvests.
Lenders may select and lend directly through the Cropital’s crowdfunding platform. Lenders receive impact updates on the farmer they lent money to, along with fixed interest returns, upon farmer’s harvest/payment.
Traders are contract growing partners who commit to purchase the produce of farmers at fair market price. This creates an assurance for specific varieties of crop, which are secured through an agreement as part of the program.
Progress to date
Cropital has raised over USD600k of loans for farmers, and has acquired over 37,000 individual lenders on the platform.
To date, over 600 farmers are onboard.
Every half year, we send out an eNewsletter with the most current news on digital solution for the agriculture industry. To join, enter your email address below and hit the subscribe button!