G-SOKO: Using Technology to Link Farmers and Buyers

By / Published July 30, 2015 | 9:30 am

Most small scale farmers in Kenya and in East Africa often struggle to sell their farm produce because of the numerous challenges that they face.

Many farmers in Kenya and across the East African block are not linked to sustainable markets to sell their products and buyers too do not have a designated place to purchase quality products.

These has been contributed by the following;

The remoteness of the areas that farmers are found poses a great challenge to both the farmer and the buyer. Some areas are inaccessible due to inadequate infrastructure and they are totally cut off from the markets.

Small scale farmers also have low production so they often see no need to actively market their products and earn profits from their toil.

Farm produce markets are often ruled by middlemen out to make sure that a farmer gets no profit at all.

Most small scale farmers also lack adequate information on the available markets and the strategic points where they could get potential buyers for their products. Buyers too face the challenge of not knowing which farm products are of high quality.

G-SOKO is a technological platform that aims to increase farmers’ income by providing access to sustainable markets for their products as well as enabling easy interaction between the farmer and the buyer.

G-SOKO is a market transaction platform that enhances food trade across borders, and contributes towards making the market more favorable to both the farmers and buyers.

This is the only platform that has both the interests of the farmer and the buyer at heart and makes sure that both parties are satisfied. The platform links smallholder farmers to buyers across East Africa region through a networked and structured market mechanism that utilizes innovative technology to provide information on market opportunities, trackin goods and connecting potential buyers to sellers.

It also helps farmers to access finance and source higher quality inputs at more friendly prices.

G-SOKO also facilitates trade between grain suppliers and grain buyers across the East African region through a well organized structure.

G-SOKO is a platform that improves market access for both farmers and buyers, enhances productivity as well as helping farmers increase their production, create chances for employment and boost their income thus alleviating poverty.