Empowering Smallholder Fish Farmers: Inside AquaRech’s Innovative Approach
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of aquaculture with Dave Okech, the founder and CEO of AquaRech, a trailblazing company revolutionizing fish farming …
How AquaRech is Revolutionizing Aquaculture in Kenya with Digital Technology
AquaRech, a leading aquaculture technology company founded in 2019 by Dave Okech, is revolutionizing fish farming in Kenya and beyond through innovative solutions tailored to address critical challenges faced by smallholder fish farmers. Leveraging a digital platform powered by mobile app technology, AquaRech bridges gaps in the aquaculture sector by providing farmers with high-quality fish feeds, credit financing, market access, and technical support. The AquaRech Fish Farmer app, accessible through both smartphone and USSD versions, empowers farmers with tools to monitor fish growth, track feed usage, and connect with a structured fish market through a unique buyback system. Additionally, the AquaRech Fish Deli app caters to consumers, offering doorstep delivery of air-fried Kenyan farmed tilapia, showcasing the company’s commitment to vertical integration.
AquaRech’s innovative solutions, such as the “buy now, pay later” financing model, help farmers access critical inputs like feed, enabling them to reduce production time from 16 months to 8 months and achieve a 40% increase in productivity. The integration of IoT water temperature sensors and real-time performance tracking further enhances precision farming. AquaRech not only supports sustainable fish farming practices but also aims to transition smallholder farmers into commercially profitable ventures. With over 6,000 farmers on its platform and a goal to scale to 10,000 by next year, the company is set to make a significant impact on the aquaculture industry in Kenya and expand its reach to East Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Having raised nearly $3 million in funding through seed rounds, grants, and debt financing, AquaRech is poised for rapid growth. The company’s ambitious Series A funding round, targeting $8 to $10 million, will focus on scaling credit financing, enhancing production systems, and increasing market access for farmers. By addressing overfishing, declining fish stocks, and Africa’s growing protein demand, AquaRech positions itself as a key player in the sustainable transformation of aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Through its digital solutions and strategic partnerships with organizations like Equity Bank, AquaRech is ensuring that fish farming is not just viable but profitable for thousands of smallholder farmers.
Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Potential: How Brazafric Group Leads in Regenerative Farming Insights from CEO Marcos Brandalise
This interview with Marcos Brandalise, the Founder and CEO of Brazafric Group of Companies (BGC), dives into the company’s impactful journey within Africa’s agriculture sector. With over three decades of experience in Kenya, Brandalise shares Brazafric’s mission to foster sustainable growth and development across Africa by providing specialized agricultural equipment, farm management, and consultancy services. Brazafric Group, with its Brazil-Africa synergy, leverages tropical agriculture expertise to introduce innovative regenerative agriculture practices, like conservation agriculture, aimed at promoting carbon sequestration, sustainable water management, and bio-based inputs. This approach supports soil regeneration and addresses Africa’s food security needs.
Brandalise discusses Brazafric’s holistic, environmentally friendly approach, which includes working with smallholder farmers to ensure their integration into larger agricultural initiatives. With ongoing farm development projects and partnerships with foreign investors and Italian equipment manufacturers, Brazafric aims to drive local production and reduce import dependency. Emphasizing industrialization and the importance of creating market opportunities in Africa, Brandalise highlights how Brazafric’s equipment distribution has captured significant market share across East and Central Africa. The interview sheds light on Brazafric’s commitment to Africa’s agricultural future, focusing on empowering African investors and supporting sustainable practices that protect local ecosystems.
Regenerative Agriculture: Africa’s Future – A Conversation with João Ramos
João Ramos, Managing Partner at East Africa Brazil International, shares the concept behind EABI and its goals. “The idea behind East Africa Brazil International is …
East Africa Brazil: Bridging Brazilian Expertise and African Agriculture for Sustainable Development
In this interview, we delve into the visionary efforts of João Ramos, Managing Partner at East Africa Brazil International. Ramos explains the initiative’s core concept of leveraging Brazilian expertise to enhance infrastructure and agricultural sectors in Africa, beginning with Kenya. The focus is on implementing regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil quality, diversify crops, and promote sustainable farming techniques. By engaging local landowners and providing comprehensive training, East Africa Brazil International aims to transform agriculture into a lucrative and appealing career for the youth, thereby fostering economic self-sufficiency and food security for smallholder farmers.
Kingsway Group’s Expansive Vision: Hospitality, Economic Zones, and Zero-Waste Agro-Processing in Kenya
Manish Shah, Executive Chairman at Kingsway Group of Companies, provides an overview of the group’s activities in Kenya, highlighting their involvement in hospitality, special economic …
Kingsway Group of Companies: Manish Shah Shares Kingsway’s Latest Business Ventures in Kenya
In this exclusive interview, Manish Shah discusses Kingsway Group of Companies’ diverse business ventures. Known for its hospitality operations such as the Village Market Mall and hotels, Kingsway also focuses on special economic zones to foster manufacturing and trade partnerships across Eastern and Central Africa. Shah highlights their innovative agro-processing initiative aimed at maximizing groundnut utilization and empowering local farmers, and outlines Kingsway’s strategic moves into electric vehicle manufacturing and fiber optics, emphasizing their commitment to sustainable growth and investment opportunities in Kenya and the region.
East Africa Brazil: Your Local Partner for Project Finance, Infrastructure, and Agri-Business Solutions
Interview with João Ramos, Managing Partner at East Africa Brazil International Could you provide an overview of your background and professional activities? Your involvement in …
Transforming African Agriculture: Marcos Brandalise Unveils Brazafric Group’s Journey
Interview with Marcos Brandalise, Founder and Group CEO of Brazafric Group of Companies (BGC) To begin, could you give us some background on Brazafric Group …
Brazafric Group of Companies: Bridging Continents, Cultivating Growth
Marcos Brandalise, Founder and Group CEO of Brazafric Group of Companies (BGC), discusses reshaping Africa’s agriculture through sustainable farming practices and empowering smallholder farmers. “I …