Introduction
Rwandan startup Shambapro has clinched a prestigious Global Impact Challenge Award for its innovative app addressing the future of food and agriculture. This recognition underscores Shambapro’s transformative potential in the agricultural sector and its commitment to improving farming practices.
The Winning Pitch
Shambapro triumphed in a pitch competition against finalists from Switzerland, the USA, and Italy. The event took place on June 15, 2024, at the We Make Future International Trade Fair and Festival on Innovation in Bologna, Italy.
Vision and Innovation
“This award is a recognition of our vision to help small farm businesses thrive and gives us additional fuel to innovate and bring better and easy-to-use solutions that will improve the agribusiness sector and help transform our agri-food system,” said Kelvin Odoobo, founder of Shambapro.
Founder’s Inspiration
Kelvin Odoobo, an experienced practitioner in East Africa’s agribusiness industry, founded Shambapro to address the many challenges small farm business owners in Africa face. These challenges include lack of suitable finance, poor access to affordable quality inputs and services, and limited market access.
App Features and Benefits
The Shambapro App offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable tool for modern agriculture. It helps farmers manage their farms efficiently, provides accurate weather forecasts, and generates business reports. The app aims to revolutionize farming practices by leveraging technology to address key agricultural challenges.
Impact and Vision
Odoobo envisions Shambapro as a catalyst for changing perceptions about agriculture. “Agribusiness is a reliable source of income, a generator of good jobs, and an honorable profession that can create cross-generational wealth,” he said. Odoobo encourages young Africans to see the vast opportunities in agribusiness and the food system, emphasizing that agribusiness is a real business with numerous prospects and risks.
Sustainable Farming
Shambapro’s innovative approach highlights the potential for sustainable and efficient farming in Rwanda and beyond. By helping farm businesses become more profitable and sustainable, the app is paving the way for a more modern agricultural sector.
Future Developments
Starting July 2024, Shambapro will offer a paid version of its app, allowing farm owners to manage multiple farm enterprises and collaborate with up to 10 team members, including farm managers, workers, and experts. This version will also provide access to accredited buyers of farm produce and suppliers of farm inputs and services.
Key Features
The Shambapro App assists farmers in tracking a wide range of activities, including input costs, harvest dates, land and input use, daily worker tasks, and produce sales. By automating routine tasks and tracking important data, the app enables farmers to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and enhance productivity and profitability.
Improved Communication and Transparency
Shambapro promotes open and verifiable communication between farm owners, workers, experts, observers, and investors, enhancing collaboration and accountability. The app allows farmers to track and report their activities and results, providing greater transparency to buyers, investors, financial providers, and regulators. This transparency helps farmers build trust and credibility, improving their access to financing and other essential resources.
