The verdict in three sentences
A farm-to-market produce app directly connects farmers to buyers (restaurants, wholesalers, households), without the chain of middlemen that eats into margins. In a short supply chain, farmer income can rise by around 25% while the buyer pays less. The 2026 development budget ranges from 2,000,000 to 6,000,000 FCFA depending on logistics and transaction volume.
How money and produce flow
The principle: the farmer lists produce and prices, the buyer orders, pays by mobile money, and the goods are delivered or picked up. The platform takes a transparent commission.
| Step | Actor | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listing | Farmer | Price, quantity, photo | Farmer app |
| Discovery | Buyer | Search, compare | App/marketplace |
| Order | Buyer | Cart, checkout | Online cart |
| Payment | Buyer | Mobile money | Integrated payment |
| Delivery | Logistics | Pickup or transport | Order tracking |
| Payout | Platform | Farmer payment - commission | Automatic split |
The platform commission, explained
The platform earns via a commission taken on each sale. 2026 ballpark for a viable short-circuit model in Nigeria.
| Sales model | Middleman price | Short-circuit price | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic sale | Farmer gets ~60% | — | Margins captured by middlemen |
| App short-circuit | — | Farmer gets ~85% | +25% farmer income |
| Platform commission | — | 8 to 15% | Funds platform and logistics |
| Mobile money fees | — | ~1 to 1.5% | To build into price |
On a 10,000 FCFA sale, a farmer who got 6,000 FCFA in the classic circuit can get around 8,500 FCFA, the platform keeping 1,500 FCFA commission.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Emeka, a market gardener near Lagos, sold his tomatoes to a collector who resold them at double the price at market. On 500 kg at 300 FCFA/kg, he got 150,000 FCFA. Via the app, he sells directly to restaurants at 420 FCFA/kg, i.e. 210,000 FCFA, minus 12% commission (25,200 FCFA), leaving 184,800 FCFA net. His income climbs by around 23% on the same volume, paid by mobile money within 48 hours.
FAQ
How do you guarantee freshness and quality? Dated photos, farmer ratings and dispute reporting maintain quality; bad sellers are quickly downranked.
Who handles delivery? Depending on the model: pickup at a relay point, partner riders, or transport arranged by the buyer. The platform tracks the order to receipt.
Is mobile money safe for large amounts? Yes, with limits and verification; for wholesalers, a payout can be split or go through a merchant account.
How does the platform make money? Via an 8 to 15% commission per transaction, optionally topped up by logistics services or premium farmer subscriptions.
Do you need many farmers to start? No. Launch on one area and one value chain (market gardening, say) with a few dozen farmers, then expand once logistics are proven.
Let's talk about your project. We'll design the commission model and logistics suited to your value chain and region. 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.
