Technology alone does not guarantee adoption in agriculture — trust does.

In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, host Kenneth Obayuwana sits down with Azeez, popularly known as "The Lasgidi Farmer," to explore why many Agri-tech solutions fail to gain traction with farmers despite promising innovation. From sack farming experiments in Lagos to helping farmers understand production-enhancing technologies, Azeez shares practical insights on what truly drives adoption in rural farming communities.

The conversation breaks down the importance of building with farmers in mind, involving them in the innovation process, and simplifying technology through local language, demonstrations, and trusted farmer networks. Azeez also shares why trust, research, and real problem-solving matter more than flashy features when building sustainable Agri-tech solutions across Africa.

You'll learn:

• Why farmers are often skeptical about new technologies

• How trust and demonstration drive adoption

• Common mistakes Agri-tech startups make when building for farmers

• Why co-creation with farmers leads to better solutions

• The role of policy, education, and cooperatives in scaling agri-tech adoption

If you're building in agriculture, working with farmers, or exploring how technology can create real impact in food systems, this episode offers practical lessons on bridging the gap between innovation and adoption.

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Ideas are easy. Execution is what separates successful agri-tech ventures from the rest.

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‎In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, host Kenneth Obayuwana speaks with Clarence Jacob, product designer turned agri-tech founder of Fern a farm management platform that simplifies record-keeping and operations for farmers.

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‎Clarence shares how identifying gaps between technology and farmers' needs inspired Fern, and what he's learning about building the right team, securing adoption, and scaling across markets like Ghana and South Africa.

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‎You'll learn;

‎• Why strong ideas alone aren't enough in agri-tech

‎• How reaching out directly to farmers accelerates growth

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‎• The value of balancing tech expertise with on-field experience

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‎If you're building in agri-tech, this episode offers real-world strategies to move from vision to execution.

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‎Access to farm machinery can determine how much food gets produced. But for many farmers, that access is still a challenge.

‎In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, host Kenneth Obayuwana speaks with Adebisi, founder of Farmerch Global Limited, about building mechanization systems that connect farmers with tractor owners.

‎Farmerch is creating tools that help service providers track operations, manage finances, and deliver reliable mechanization services to farmers.

‎Adebisi shares lessons from building the company, the trust challenges between farmers and tractor owners, and how better access to machinery is helping farmers increase production across Nigeria.

‎You'll learn • Why mechanization is critical for scaling farm production

‎• The trust and logistics gaps in tractor services

‎• How simple tech tools help track farm operations

‎• What it takes to build an agri-tech startup solving real farm problems

‎If you're interested in practical innovations shaping African agriculture, this episode is for you.

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‎What if food security depends on how food moves, not just how it's grown.

‎In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, Kenneth Obayuwana speaks with Jim Paulinus, founder of Aonix Farms.

‎Jim builds agro-logistics systems that connect production, storage, and markets within communities.

‎After seeing food insecurity across Africa and Canada, he shifted from farming to food infrastructure.

‎His model reduces waste and stabilizes farmer income.

‎You'll learn why logistics is agriculture's missing link.

‎How local production cuts spoilage.

‎And what infrastructure gaps still hold African food systems back.

‎If you care about food security and farmer prosperity, this episode is for you.

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Can smarter water management reshape the future of African fish farming? And what happens when farmers finally get the data they need to scale?

In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, we sit down with Deborah Falope, co-founder and COO of Aquatrack, a fast-growing biotech and agri-tech startup helping fish farmers optimize water quality, improve yield, access finance, and run more efficient farms using AI and IoT. As both a farmer and a tech founder, Deborah brings a rare, grounded perspective on what is actually broken in aquaculture—and what it takes to fix it.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why water quality is one of aquaculture's biggest threats

• How Aquatrack's AI-powered operating system helps farmers track inventory, mortality, finance, and production

• Why adoption is still the hardest challenge in agri-tech

• The real reason farmers resist new tools (and how to design products they will use)

• How data, financing, and community support drive sustainable fish farming

• What it takes to scale agri-tech solutions across Africa

If you care about agri-tech, aquaculture, or the future of water-smart farming in Africa, this episode is for you.

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Can small, flexible vertical farms fix access to fresh food and reduce our dependence on processed meals?

In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, we sit down with Rick Langille, founder of Harvest Today, to explore how modular vertical farming is reshaping food systems across homes, schools, communities, and commercial farms. Rick breaks down the gaps in traditional farming, the health and economic case for fresher produce, and what it takes to scale controlled-environment solutions globally.

You'll learn:

• Why vertical farming is gaining global momentum

• The hidden cost of processed food on health and food security

• How modular farm design unlocks affordability and access

• What African innovators should know before entering CEA

• Practical insights for founders building sustainable agri-tech systems

If you care about the future of food, nutrition, or scalable agri-tech, this episode is for you

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Why do investors still see African agri-tech as "too risky"? In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, host Kenneth Obayuwana sits down with Rahmat, an investment professional at FarmTize Capital and African Food Changemakers, to unpack the myths, mindset shifts, and real strategies behind building investor confidence in Africa's agricultural ecosystem.

You'll learn:

• Why "risk" is often a data and visibility problem, not a market one

• How founders can use storytelling, partnerships, and documentation to build credibility

• Real examples of African startups like Relief, Apollo Agriculture, and Hello Tractor that are shifting global perceptions

• What structural reforms and ecosystem collaborations can unlock more local and international capital

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What if investing in agriculture could be as strategic as trading stocks or backing startups?

In this episode of AgriTech Founders Diary, host Kenneth Obayuwana breaks down practical, low-risk ways to invest smartly in the agricultural sector. From understanding project finance and commodity exchange platforms to exploring angel investing in agri-tech startups, Kenneth reveals how to make your money work for you without burning out as a farmer.

You'll learn:

• Why crowdfunding isn't always the best route for investors

• How cooperatives and commodity exchange platforms can reduce risk

• The real potential of virtual funding and angel syndicates in agri-tech

• What due diligence steps to take before investing in any agricultural venture

If you've ever wanted to grow your wealth through agriculture without getting your hands dirty, this episode is your guide.

Catch up with the first part of this conversation

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