Ngozi Okaro

Pioneered agricultural innovation in Nigeria through Farmcrowdy, empowering smallholder farmers and improving food security

About Ngozi Okaro

Ngozi Okaro is a Nigerian agripreneur and founder of Farmcrowdy, a tech-driven agricultural platform revolutionizing food production in West Africa. Born in Lagos in 1992, Okaro's vision emerged from witnessing the struggles of smallholder farmers during her childhood visits to rural communities. By 2020, Farmcrowdy had already become Nigeria's leading agritech startup, connecting over 50,000 farmers with investors through a mobile app platform.

Innovative Solutions

Okaro's platform uses blockchain technology to track crop progress and ensure transparency, while providing farmers with access to credit, training, and market linkages. This system has enabled small-scale producers to triple their yields while reducing post-harvest losses by 40% according to Farmcrowdy's 2023 sustainability report. The platform now manages over 20,000 hectares of farmland across Nigeria, producing staples like cassava, maize, and poultry.

Impact and Recognition

By 2022, Farmcrowdy had secured $12 million in Series A funding from investors including Y Combinator and Green Visors Capital. Okaro's work earned her a spot on Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 list in 2021, and the company was named one of the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers in 2023. Her initiatives have directly impacted over 200,000 beneficiaries through improved income streams and food access.

Global Influence

Okaro frequently speaks at international forums like the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) and the UN Food Systems Summit. She advocates for policy frameworks that integrate technology into agricultural systems, recently collaborating with the Nigerian government to pilot digital land registry systems in Oyo State. Her TED Talk 'Growing the Future of Food' (https://www.ted.com/speakers/ngozi_okaro) has garnered over 500,000 views.