Smallholders play a vital role in food production in Africa, with an estimated 33 million smallholder farmers accounting for 80% of food production in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite having a quarter of the world’s farmable land, Africa only contributes 10% of global agricultural output, leading to many countries spending billions on food imports annually.
Hello Tractor, a Kenyan agricultural technology company, is on a mission to transform small-scale agriculture through affordable access to mechanization. Founded by Jehiel Oliver in 2014, Hello Tractor operates on an on-demand tractor-hailing model similar to a ride-hailing service, connecting smallholder farmers with tractor services.
The company has introduced an app for booking tractors and employs booking agents in rural areas to facilitate the connection between farmers and service providers. These booking agents, who come from farmer communities, help reduce friction for farmers, especially those less familiar with technology, by booking tractor services on their behalf.
In addition to connecting tractor owners with farmers, Hello Tractor has developed technology that allows tractor owners to track the use and movement of their tractors in real-time. This peace of mind technology includes monitoring fuel consumption, location, and active and idle time of the tractors.
One of Hello Tractor’s key innovations is its Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) financing program, which allows farmers, agents, and entrepreneurs to own tractors with a minimal down payment and an aggregated booking of farmland on the Hello Tractor app. This financing model has been instrumental in helping smallholder farmers access equipment financing and become entrepreneurs by owning their equipment.
With a footprint in 15 countries across Africa, Hello Tractor has digitized over 3.5 million acres of land and unlocked five million metric tonnes of food production. In Kenya alone, the company has partnered with the agricultural ministry to serve over 360,000 smallholders with 700 tracked tractors and 1,100 booking agents, opening up 690,000 acres to cultivation.
Overall, Hello Tractor’s impact on smallholder farmers in Africa is undeniable. By providing affordable access to mechanization, financing, and technology, the company is empowering smallholder farmers to increase productivity, reduce poverty, and contribute to global food security. A new study published in the Journal of Science has shed light on the potential benefits of incorporating more plant-based foods into our diets. The study, conducted by a team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that a diet rich in plant-based foods can have a positive impact on both our health and the environment.
The researchers conducted a review of existing studies on the effects of plant-based diets on various health outcomes, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. They found that individuals who consumed a diet high in plant-based foods were less likely to develop chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. In addition, those who followed a plant-based diet had lower rates of cancer compared to those who consumed a diet high in animal products.
One of the key findings of the study was the impact of plant-based diets on the environment. The researchers found that a diet rich in plant-based foods has a lower carbon footprint compared to a diet high in animal products. This is because the production of plant-based foods requires less water, land, and energy compared to the production of animal products. By incorporating more plant-based foods into our diets, we can help reduce our impact on the environment and combat climate change.
The researchers also highlighted the importance of diversity in plant-based diets. They found that a variety of plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, can provide all the essential nutrients our bodies need to thrive. By incorporating a wide range of plant-based foods into our diets, we can ensure that we are getting all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants necessary for optimal health.
Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of incorporating more plant-based foods into our diets for both our health and the environment. By making simple changes, such as swapping out meat for plant-based proteins like beans or tofu, we can improve our health and reduce our impact on the planet. The researchers hope that this study will inspire more people to adopt a plant-based diet and reap the many benefits it has to offer.
