FarmKonnect Lite

• 

  Select a Poultry Produce

• 

  Select Activity

• 

  Select a Learning Topic

• 

  Select Activity Option

• 

  Login with PIN

• 

  View Seller Details

• 

  Dial USSD code *1233

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and the world came to a standstill — but for thousands of smallholder farmers across Africa, life became even more uncertain.

Businesses closed. Borders shut down. Transport systems collapsed. Farmers in rural Nigeria watched helplessly as their produce rotted, unable to reach buyers beyond their localities. Without internet access, a smartphone, or digital literacy, they were completely cut off from any meaningful help.

At the same time, global conversations shifted toward digital inclusion. It became painfully clear that millions were excluded from life-saving information and economic activity simply because they lacked access to technology. That was when the idea for FarmKonnect Lite was born, a hybrid version to the original solutionFarmKonnect that required internet connectivity using smartphone.

This challenge inspired the creation of a resource-constrained computing (RCC) solution: A mobile and USSD-powered app that connects farmers, buyers, investors, and educators, even in the most remote villages. No internet? No problem. The system operates via simple USSD codes, voice assistance, and offline access, making it accessible to anyone with even the most basic phone.

Today, what began as a response to a crisis has grown into a lifeline — a bridge that connects rural farmers to opportunity, knowledge, and empowerment. COVID-19 revealed what exclusion looks like, and this project represents a bold step toward inclusion.

FarmKonnect Lite is a mobile app that uses Resource Constraint Computing, such as USSD and voice assistance, that allows Farmers in remote, communities with little to no internet facility connect to buyers, accesw investors and learning platform without constraint.

Since the first submission for this hackathon guide is a prototype of the intended solution, the prototype was designed using Figma, and the project is intended to be built using a framework like React native, Supabase, Africa's Talking IVR/MTN Developer, Room database.

During the prototype, the major challenge we encountered was the integration of Voice Menu Assistance with Figma. We're currently working on tackling this challenge using Figma plugins such as Accessibility Assistant or Stark.

We're glad that we're able to design a hybrid solution that enables small holders farmers across Africa use either a smart phone or basic phone with little or no Internet connectivity connect with buyers, get investors and access learning materials. This design solution is user-centered, intuitive, inclusive, and accessible.

During the design stage of this project, we learnt that:

1. 60–80% of rural farmers (who own basic phones)would be able to access the platform via USSD/voice.
2. Up to 30–50% increase in produce sales due to access to broader markets.
3. Up to 40% less spoilage due to faster buyer connection.
4. 25–40% of users may gain first-time access to investors or digital funding options.

The next step for FarmKonnect is:

1. Conduct usability testing on the prototype with different users.
2. Build USSD frontend and backend app.
3. Partner with a mobile network operator like MTN or Africa's Talking for a USSD Code.
4. Test protect development.
5. Launch & promote.

Built With

• africa's-talking
• figma
• mtndeveloper
• react-native
• supabase