By Barbra Kabahumuza and Michael Odeng
One of the biggest barriers to agricultural technology adoption in sub-Saharan Africa is limited access to agricultural inputs, according to Ugandan entrepreneur Julian Aturinda.
In a statement released Tuesday (November, 14), Aturinda said there is a lack of agriculture inputs yet the future and development of the continent are held on the success of the agricultural sector.
Aturinda revealed that she made a product named AdagChil, which seeks to simplify the process that farmers go through to get inputs, ranging from seeds, irrigation services, micro-insurance, and fertilizers, among others, without worrying about having money upfront.
She says AdagChil is making access to agric-inputs for African farmers easier.
Aturinda said through a “buy now pay later model”, farmers get the inputs they need on credit as AdagChil pays the suppliers upfront.
“One of the biggest problems that smallholder farmers face is cashflow. Cash comes at the end of the harvest but money for seeds, fertilizer and living cannot wait. This makes it clear that banking smallholder farmers is a laudable goal,” she states.
Aturinda says her company is focusing on connecting farmers directly to genuine Agric-inputs suppliers so that they can enjoy the most attractive prices while ensuring quality and authenticity.
That way, she said, they get the inputs they need on credit as AdagChil pays the suppliers upfront.
Having risen through various ranks to realize her goals, including working as a local restaurant waitress, Julian is optimistic that she will succeed in her dreams.
“I am not worried about the consquences of failing”.
Julian has already received endorsement from experienced and successful techpreneurs including Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, the co-founder and CEO of CHIL AI Lab Group.
