Farmers and stakeholders across the agricultural value chain have been urged to embrace data-driven farming to boost productivity, improve market access, and strengthen competitiveness.
Desmond Coney, Chief Executive Officer of Agri-tech firm, Complete Farmer, made the call at the launch of the business’ Digital Platform, a technology-driven solution designed to connect growers, buyers, agricultural input suppliers and financiers within a single ecosystem.
Mr. Koney said the platform was developed to address longstanding inefficiencies in the agricultural sector by creating stronger links among key actors and improving access to markets and resources.
“We are building a bridge for an industry that has been fragmented for a very long time,” he said. “Today, what we are trying to do is build a bridge not just through technology but also through people.”
He noted that the initiative seeks to reshape perceptions of agriculture by making farming more accessible and attractive to a broader segment of society.
“We want to change the narrative of what a smallholder farmer looks like. We want to change the narrative to one where farming becomes everyone’s lifestyle,” he said.
According to Mr. Koney, the platform enables growers to connect directly with buyers, access agricultural inputs, and secure financing while providing businesses with a more reliable source of agricultural produce.
He added that buyers would benefit from a more predictable and consistent supply of raw materials without the burden of developing extensive sourcing networks.
“For our buyers, this is an advantage. You no longer have to build your own supply chains. It is about building something that is predictable and consistent,” he said.
Reflecting on the company’s evolution, Mr. Koney said Complete Farmer started in 2017 as a farming business before transitioning into an agricultural technology company.
“When Complete Farmer started in 2017, we started by building our own farms, and today, we are a tech company. It is our buyers, growers, and vendors who helped shape the platform we have today,” he said.
The launch of the Complete Farmer Digital Platform is expected to improve coordination across the agricultural value chain, enhance market access, and accelerate the adoption of technology-driven solutions in agriculture.
