Economic Services Delivery to Smallholder Farmers

e-Granary Innovation: Scaling an Integrated Farmer Business Model

In 2016, EAFF launched e-Granary, an innovative digital agricultural platform designed to improve farmer access to markets, finance, extension services, and agribusiness opportunities. Initially supported through a USD 50,000 FAO roll-up fund, the programme later expanded through AGRA funding (USD 800,000 between 2016–2019) and support from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP).

e-Granary results Across Eastern Africa

EAFF has significantly transformed how smallholder farmers access agricultural services through digital innovation:

• 253,017 farmers registered on the e-Granary platform across Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda;
• Collective trade volume exceeding USD 10,080,660, covering strategic commodities including cassava, maize, potatoes, beans, and soybeans;
• More than 8 regional and 65 national Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with private sector actors to improve market access and agricultural financing;
• 130,028 smallholder farmers participating in collective marketing systems;
• USD 6,499,916 in loans accessed by 54,053 farmers for farm inputs and produce aggregation;
• 72,034 farmers trained physically on:
  • Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs),
  • Structured trade systems, and
  • Financial literacy;
• More than 100,000 farmers reached digitally through SMS advisory services and radio-based extension under the e-Granary platform.

EAFF has further expanded its digital transformation agenda into Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Uganda, where farmer organizations have developed tailor-made digital platforms to improve farmer access to advisory and extension services.