An application designed for the trading of agricultural commodities has been developed to enable farmers to have access to markets and enhance the provision of raw materials to industries.
Developers of the application, known as Straddle, observed that the absence of technology required to fill this space meant that farmers lacked access to crucial information about market trends and equitable pricing.
“We hope to redefine the way the agricultural value chain is perceived by Nigerians and foreigners.
“Our aim is to reduce the risk associated with agro-trading by providing farmers with access to markets and industries with access to raw materials at the right time and the right price,” the founder, Straddle, Omitaomu Basit, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
He stated that before the launch of Straddle, farmers across Nigeria faced significant challenges. “This information vacuum further marginalised the farmers, hindering their ability to optimise the returns from their agricultural efforts.
“In response to the persistent challenges associated with raw materials pricing, sourcing and accessing real-time information within the agricultural sector, Straddle to offer solutions designed to revolutionise agricultural procurement and information sharing.
“Designed by a team of four graduates from the University of Lagos, Straddle aims to tackle these key issues faced by farmers, traders, agricultural merchants, exporters, and the manufacturing industries as a whole,” Basit stated.
He said access to real-time information about agriculture was identified as a crucial, yet often an unmet need.
“Farmers and industry players struggle to stay updated on the latest news, trends, and developments in the agricultural sector, hindering their ability to make informed decisions.
“Straddle acts as an information hub, providing easy access to the latest agricultural news and information, empowering users with valuable insights into market trends and developments,” Basit stated.
SOURCE: PUNCHNG