LOTUS

African farmers face a broad based lack of access to accurte mrket information leading to unpreparedness when selling their produce in the hugh risk and tough legislatory envionment of agricultural export trade. Most are unaware of risks such a commercial, political, foreign laws, cargo, credit risk policy covers and foreign exchange fluctuations. Resulting negative impacts include deterrence in participating in exporting, loss of capital due to weak export planning and legl penalties. LOTUS is a mobile app with real-time market data features and provides accurate verified export trade information for agricultureproduce eg. shipping, quarantine, and legal issues. LOTUS aims to assist in lowering the entry barrier into the export market through information sharing, facilitate profitable expansion of  business into the internationl market thereby reducing dependence on the local market.

Intra-African trade is standing at an average of 16% of all African trade largely because of a lack of trade and market information to connect buyers and sellers from across the continent. Indigenous farmers, making up to 60% of the sub-Saharan Africa, are essentially locked out of a US$2.5 trillion economy and an integrated  market of 1.2 billion people. 

Conversely, mobile penetration in Africa is rising evermore with Zimbabwe having internet access to 52% of its population. This digital technology progress is opening up opportunities in Africa's largely untapped agricultural sector.

LOTUS is targeting agribusinesses, small and large holder farmers who are interested or already established in exporting their produce. Our startup is building partnerships with local farmers, agriculture marketing experts, government trade bodies nd NGOs such as the UNDP and World Vision.

LOTUS is a mobile app business intelligence tool which dispenses accurate trade and market information for agricultural exports.

This export market information is pivotal in ensuring reliable agricultural produce, compliance with relevant standards of the importing and exporting country, specific requirements for certain commodities such as meat export licences, thorough knowledge of legal issues pertaining to exporting, efficient freight and logistical plans for transporting produce as well as export pricing.