Bridging the Gap

At Farm Lab Africa, we are dedicated to bridging the persistent gap that exists between subsistence farming practices and modern, mechanised farming solutions.

The African food system is broken

The African food system is in a state of dysfunction, and smallholder communities are set to encounter multiple intertwined social and environmental obstacles in the next decade.

Among these challenges are low productivity, restricted access to mechanization and technology, and inadequate market connectivity.

These factors contribute to escalating food insecurity and hinder the development of resilience and the enhancement of quality of life for millions.

A lack of resources

Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa face a shortage of vital resources like quality seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization, resulting in low productivity and exhausting manual labor. This lack of access undermines their ability to improve yields, achieve food sovereignty, and enhance their overall quality of life.

We believe that regenerative farming practices paired with appropriate technologies are the foundation of a prosperous future for smallholder farmers.

We don’t need to re-invent the wheel

To reach smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, we are creating a repeatable model that focuses on how adequate and already proven solutions can be delivered in rural communities through a franchise business model

Our three domains of intervention

  • Technology

    We equip smallholder farmers with the right technologies, enabling them to mechanize their already existing farmlands.

  • Education

    We develop and deliver new education experiences that prioritize the principles and mindsets of regenerative agriculture.

  • Innovation

    We build local capability to co-create and lead innovation processes for the discovery of systemic issues and development of solutions.

Everything in one place

Farm Lab’s one-stop-shop model connects smallholder farmers with essential technologies, inputs, digital tools, and resources. By improving yields and livelihoods, our holistic approach empowers farmers to adopt regenerative and climate-smart techniques, ensuring long-term resilience and success in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

An integrated system

Our solution is an integrated technology transfer system, with Farm Labs acting as local hubs where farmers access training, equipment, digital tools, and resources to increase productivity and resilience. These interconnected Farm Labs foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective bargaining, enabling farmers to adopt best practices and improve profitability. By creating a network of Farm Labs, we aim to drive systemic impact, enhancing smallholder farmers' livelihoods and contributing to food sovereignty across Ethiopia through innovation, learning, and cooperation.

Technology transfer - our equipment range

Our Farm Lab has a full suite of appropriate equipment including 50hp tractors and matching implements, that can provide smallholder farmers with the entire range of mechanisation services, from land preparation to harvesting and transportation.

Our digital solutions

Our Farm Lab has a full suite of appropriate applications that can provide smallholder farmers with the digital tools that they need to manage their farm and maximise their profitability.

Place-sensitive design & facilities

Our Farm Labs will be built using locally sourced materials and skilled artisans from the communities we serve. By leveraging local resources and expertise, we minimize our environmental impact while fostering economic growth and creating jobs for local craftsmen and laborers. This approach reflects our commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, ensuring that the benefits of our projects extend directly to the communities involved.

A regenerative future begins when communities and the land grow together in harmony, cultivating resilience through knowledge, innovation, and collaboration.

Repeatability through standardisations

The Farm Lab Digital Platform and Infrastructure are modular, core elements of the Farm Lab Model, designed to ensure repeatability and sustainability as the network expands beyond its pilot phase. These components preserve the core principles while offering the flexibility to adapt to the specific needs of each new region. This balance between standardization and adaptability is crucial for the successful evolution and long-term sustainability of the Farm Lab network as it scales across different countries.

  • The digital platform serves as the backbone of the network, providing essential tools and resources to ensure the seamless operation of each Farm Lab. It also strengthens connections across the network, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing between regions while creating a sense of unity.

  • A modular toolkit of equipment and products designed for easy shipping to new locations. This enables consistent and effective implementation of Farm Labs across regions, streamlining the process and allowing new locations to quickly establish their own labs, facilitating efficient scaling.

The blueprint for success - the Farm Lab Playbook

    • Introduction

    • Contextual Assessment

    • Farm Lab Design & Setup

    • Farm Lab Technology Stack

    • Partnerships & Collaborations

    • Education & Training Programmes

    • Business Model & Financial Sustainability

    • Scaling & Franchising

    • Monitoring, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

    • Appendices: Templates, Checklists & Tools

Scalability through franchising

Franchising will be key to scaling Farm Lab Africa’s impact across diverse agricultural landscapes. By embracing local entrepreneurship, we can maintain brand consistency while empowering communities as active stakeholders in the agricultural value chain. This model decentralizes operations, ensuring solutions are tailored to local needs while fostering economic growth and job creation. Franchising will establish a network of interconnected hubs, driving knowledge sharing, innovation, and regenerative agricultural practices across Sub-Saharan Africa, all while operating at scale.

The establishment of Farm Lab at Hawassa University Innovation and Technology Campus marks a crucial step in developing and expanding our franchise model. This central hub will be key for training and product testing, fostering innovation and equipping franchisees with the skills needed for success. By leveraging the university's resources, the lab will serve as a testing ground for cutting-edge agricultural technologies, ensuring the network stays at the forefront of innovation. It will drive collaboration, knowledge exchange, and sustainable growth across Ethiopia and beyond.

Farm Lab at Hawassa University, Ethiopia

Our Theory of Change

Meet the team

Meet our partners

The wicked problems that we are addressing can only be solved through the creation of a symbiotic network of talented, like-minded, and inspired individuals and organizations.

What if we stopped working independently, making minor incremental changes, and instead worked together to take bold steps toward a prosperous future that we would love to live in….

but realise it today?