Nigerian Agri-tech startup Hello Tractor has joined forces with the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation to expand its services in Kenya and cover more regions in Nigeria. This will help connect over 5,000 smallholder farmers using tractors to benefit from mechanization services and create jobs for youth as tractor operators and booking agents.
The startup which was tested last year in piloting a new tool for farmers, allows farmers to request affordable tractor services while promoting security to tractor owners by tracking and virtual monitoring.
The partnership comes after Hello Tractor was awarded a grant following a CTA call for proposals for ICT-enabled mechanization in Africa, which was issued to explore and implement initiatives to support the effective use of digital technologies for agricultural transformation in Africa.
“We are delighted to partner with Hello Tractor in expanding its innovative digital platform to reach a large number of users that will contribute not only to modernizing smallholder agriculture and increasing productivity but also to attracting young people to agribusiness in Africa,” said CTA director Michael Hailu.
Jehiel Oliver, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Hello Tractor, said the startup was excited to work with CTA to improve the delivery of mechanization services to smallholder farmers.
“Through this collaboration, we will identify, train, and grow the number of youths serving as booking agents on serving farmers. This partnership will grow demand for tractor service.”
