The verdict in three sentences
For a cooperative of 3,000 cashew farmers around Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, paper weighing books and cash payments no longer satisfy exporters demanding plot-by-plot traceability. Custom collection software costs 8,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA (EUR 12,200 to 30,500) depending on scope, with a 4-month delivery before the season. It pays back through quality premiums, eliminated weighing errors and farmer payments by mobile money with no cash transport.
What exporters demand in 2026
Cashew is not currently on the list of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which covers cocoa, coffee, rubber, soy, palm oil, wood and cattle. Yet European buyers and processors already apply the same requirements to their cashew supply chains: plot geolocation, proof of no deforestation after December 2020 and a link between each exported lot and its farmers. Cooperatives that also handle cocoa must comply with the EUDR, whose application to large operators is scheduled for late 2026. One tool covers both value chains.
| Requirement | What the software does | Situation without a tool |
|---|---|---|
| Plot geolocation | GPS polygon captured on tablet, GeoJSON export | Missing or approximate coordinates |
| Weighing and quality | Weight, moisture, KOR (kernel outturn) entered offline | Paper books, 1 to 3% discrepancies |
| Lot to farmer link | Each bag tied to a QR code and its farmers | Mixed lots, traceability impossible |
| Farmer payment | Wave or Orange Money transfer from the receipt | Cash transported, theft risk |
| Exporter reports | Traceability sheet per container in 1 click | 2 to 3 days of compilation |
| No-deforestation check | Polygons cross-checked with satellite maps | No check at all |
2026 pricing: three levels
Budget depends on the number of collection points, the number of farmers to register and integrations with exporters.
| Level | Scope | Price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Farmer registry, offline weighing, receipts | 8,000,000 to 11,000,000 FCFA | 3 months |
| Standard | Core + mobile money payment + QR per bag | 12,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA | 4 months |
| Full | Standard + polygons, satellite check, exporter portal | 16,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA | 4 to 5 months |
| Rugged tablets | 20 collection points | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA each | 2 weeks |
| GPS plot census | 3,000 farmers | 2,000 to 3,500 FCFA per plot | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Maintenance and hosting | Fixes, updates, servers | 15 to 20% of project per year | Ongoing |
On payments, fees stay modest: about 1% per payout on Wave or Orange Money business offers in Côte d'Ivoire, to compare with the cost of cash escort and the risk of loss in rural areas.
Mini case study
Mr Koné runs a cooperative of 3,000 farmers near Bouaké that collects 4,000 tonnes per season at a farmgate price of 425 FCFA per kilo, i.e. 1,700,000,000 FCFA paid to farmers. Eliminating 1% weighing discrepancies avoids 17,000,000 FCFA of losses. His exporter pays a traceability premium of 10 FCFA per kilo on documented lots, i.e. 40,000,000 FCFA. Against a Full project at 18,000,000 FCFA plus 3,000 plots at 3,000 FCFA (9,000,000 FCFA), the investment is covered in the first season. Mobile money fees of 1% (17,000,000 FCFA) replace cash escort and handling costs of the same order, without the theft risk.
FAQ
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How much does collection software for a cashew cooperative cost?
Between 8,000,000 and 20,000,000 FCFA depending on modules, excluding tablets and plot census. The standard version with mobile money payment runs around 12,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA.
Does the software work without network in villages?
Yes, all weighings are stored offline and synced as soon as a connection is available. A tablet keeps several weeks of data without loss.
Is cashew covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation?
Not on the current list, but European buyers already require equivalent proof and the list can be revised. A cooperative that geolocates its 3,000 plots in 2026 keeps access to the best prices.
How are farmers paid by mobile money?
The validated weighing receipt triggers a bulk transfer via Wave or Orange Money. Fees are around 1% and each farmer receives a confirmation SMS.
When should the project start?
At least 4 months before the season opens, usually in February. An October start leaves time to train 20 weighers and map the plots.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of farmers, collection points and exporters: we price a scope between 8,000,000 and 20,000,000 FCFA with a 4-month plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
