Dalberg Advisors and Dalberg Implement supported Mitsui to operationalize and launch the Farmer’s Link Africa pilot, an initiative that leverages technology to increase cotton smallholder farmers’ yields and incomes while simultaneously garnering an SDGs premium from linking apparel products to sustainably sourced and produced farming practices.

The team led five work streams tasks: (i) coordinating digital product customization for the SmartFarm farm management and record-keeping platform, (ii) co-designing and developing IVR-enabled e-extension scripts and M&E mobile surveys for distribution to farmers, (iii) supporting the procurement and field operations activities for launch (e.g. phone purchases, farmer and buyer onboarding materials, recruiting a program manager for continued support), (iv) designing loan feature products for fertilizer finance as well as an assessment methodology to assess farmer’s eligibility for financing, and (iv) providing overall PMO support to co-ordinate the Mitsui team, Parrogate (cotton offtaker), fertilizer providers (ETG), and technology vendors (CropIn and Viamo).