In the evolving landscape of agricultural technology, smart machinery has often catered to the needs of large-scale operations, leaving smallholder farmers grappling with outdated tools and methods. However, Ghana-based startup SAYeTECH is shifting this paradigm by focusing on the everyday challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Founded by Jeffrey Boakye Appiagyei and his co-founder Theodore Ohene-Botchway, SAYeTECH is dedicated to enhancing the productivity and livelihoods of farmers in Africa, particularly in Ghana.
Appiagyei emphasizes the importance of addressing the pressing issues that smallholder farmers encounter, such as low productivity, significant post-harvest losses, and limited access to crucial agricultural data. “For too long, farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa have faced these challenges,” he explains. By integrating hardware with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, SAYeTECH has developed specialized tools, including a cocoa pod breaking machine, a cereal dryer, and a multi-crop thresher. These innovations are designed to streamline farming processes, enabling farmers to boost their yields and make informed decisions that ultimately enhance food security.
The motivation behind SAYeTECH stems from Appiagyei’s early experiences as a pupil teacher in a rural community without electricity. Witnessing children being pulled from school to help with farming during harvest seasons deeply impacted him. This realization, coupled with his background in agricultural engineering, inspired him and Ohene-Botchway to create accessible technology that not only improves productivity but also allows children to remain in school. “At the heart of SAYeTECH is the goal of empowering communities to thrive and build resilience, starting with ensuring that children can stay in school,” Appiagyei asserts.
SAYeTECH has made significant strides since its inception, having manufactured over 180 pieces of agricultural equipment and serving more than 17,000 smallholder farmers in Ghana, Nigeria, and Niger. The development of their IoT-enabled cocoa pod breaker marks a pivotal advancement for cocoa farmers and stakeholders in the value chain. Recently, the company raised $100,000 in seed funding led by AgFunder, which not only validated their vision but also facilitated field trials demonstrating the tangible impact of their technology.
Despite these achievements, SAYeTECH faces challenges, particularly in scaling production to meet growing demand. Currently, they can fulfill only 17% of their orders, indicating a significant gap between supply and demand. Appiagyei acknowledges that additional investment is crucial to expand production capacity and reach more communities. “With the right resources, we could drastically expand our production capacity, support sustainable growth, and increase productivity across the agricultural sector,” he notes.
SAYeTECH is also participating in the AgFunder GROW accelerator program, drawn by its focus on agrifoodtech and global growth ambitions. Appiagyei sees parallels between the agricultural challenges in Asia and Africa, believing that insights gained from this experience can enhance their impact back home.
Looking ahead, SAYeTECH aims to deploy at least 1,000 units of their IoT-enabled machinery to assist farmers in adapting to changing conditions and boosting productivity. The company is also exploring opportunities beyond agriculture, including a recent order for IoT units from a mining company, highlighting the versatility of their technology.
With a commitment to improving the lives of smallholder farmers and fostering resilient food systems, SAYeTECH embodies a transformative approach to agricultural mechanization in Africa. As they continue to innovate and expand their reach, the implications of their work could resonate far beyond the borders of Ghana, potentially influencing agricultural practices across the continent and beyond.