East Africa Foods (EAF), a company with regional ambitions set in Tanzania, will use technology to help expand its operations and boost its new markets.
EAF with Dar es Salaam Head Quarter procures produce including potatoes, bananas, plantains and onions from smallholder farmers in Moshikirimanyaro, Nyombe and Mbeya in the highlands of southern Tanzania, and then sells to most retailers in Dar es Salaam, Doduma and Zanzibar.
Supported by Multerateral Lenders and Foundations, EAF has its network spanning over 10,000 farmers and over 7,000 retailers. The company processes approximately 14,500 banana crates each week.
This year, the company opened its first business outside of Tanzania in Nairobi, where it sells its Onja Rice and Potato (Potato King) brands.
“By streamlining and optimizing the supply chain, we provide easy access to the highest quality produce for consumers, supporting local farmers and the local economy,” the company says.
App adoption
The adoption of technology has allowed EAF to grow rapidly. The company says it is “using Agri-Tech to build a bridge between local farmers and the market.”
Processing over 15,000 delivery per month, the company has reached the point where technology becomes essential to expand to the next level, says founder Elia Timotheo.
“Through technology, we are forge a future that closes the distance between us, our farmers and our customers. We will all be able to connect with more people, provide better products and work more efficiently,” he says.
Timotheo says that one of the solutions is developing an EAF app designed to streamline management of farmers, plots, harvesting and quality control. The company says the app provides end-to-end functionality, ensuring efficient monitoring and optimization from planting to harvesting at every stage of the farming process.
In the past, most orders have been started with a call to a call center over a customer's phone, and ordered bags of produce. The agent asked if they needed other foods, took the order and entered it into the system for next day delivery.
Technology is improving that process. In April, the company launched a new mobile app SokoChap to support wholesalers, retailers and delivery teams. This app helps customers order online and receive updates in real time. Users register with business name, contact information and other details.
“This launch is a new phase in the digital journey, bringing in efficiency and innovation that is close to our partners. Whether you're a supplier, delivery partner or sales representative, Sokochap will provide you with a better, faster and smarter service,” the company says.
Technology to support farmers
To source food, EAF also has a system called the Farmer Management System. This allows the company to track exactly who the farmers are sourced from. The size of the land they had from day one until the present. And whether they lease or own the land.
The company says it is working to train farmers with wise climate farming and excellent agricultural practices, including demonstrations of seed planning, soil preparation, fertilizer, weeding, harvesting and storage.
Technology also helps to promote the fate of farmers. The company says it has implemented digital financial systems for farmers to pay such as banks and mobile remittances, ensuring money security and helping better financial management.
