In Uganda, this start-up combines digital tools with a strong presence on the ground to meet the structural challenges of the agricultural sector in rural areas.
Essymart is an agritech solution developed by a Ugandan start-up. It aims to transform the lives of smallholder farmers by giving them access to digital solutions to improve their yields, incomes and market access.
The start-up, based in the city of Mayuge 120 kilometers from the capital Kampala, was launched in 2022 by Elvis Kadhama, Viola Nakadama and Stella Doreen Namulondo.
At the base of Essymart’s offer is a digital platform accessible via Web App, SMS, voice calls and USSD codes, allowing farmers, even those who do not have a smartphone, to purchase agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides), receive personalized agricultural advice and access training and market services.
The start-up is trying to solve directly several of the main obstacles that hinder agricultural productivity in Africa: lack of access to reliable inputs, low adoption of modern agricultural practices, and difficulties in valuing production in remunerative markets. Through its integrated approach, Essymart enables farmers to increase their yields while reducing their direct input costs.
“In 2024, we helped about 4000 farmers, an increase of about 20% over the previous year, and we were on the verge of achieving our 2030 target, which was to support 20,000 families,” said Elvis Kadhama. “The number of users combines full-service and full-service direct customers through partnerships with public and private actors, reflecting both the demand for its integrated set of inputs, training and market linkages, and the expansion of its distribution network.”
By using simple technologies like USSD or SMS, the company ensures that its services are accessible even in the most remote areas, where access to the Internet may be limited. Essymart presents itself as both a digital market for agricultural inputs and as an ecosystem of services connecting farmers to certified suppliers, agricultural experts and business opportunities.
To date, the company has already reached several thousand smallholders in eastern Uganda, with prospects for expansion to other African markets.
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