At a session on agricultural and financial technology during the recent SAM conference, Emmanuel Ansah-Amprofi of Ghana’s Trotro Tractor described how his company’s service helps small-scale farmers mechanize their operations. Farmers call a toll-free number to request a tractor for a short period of time, such as for harvest. Within 72 hours, the farmer is connected with one of the 320 tractor owners that partners with Trotro. Trotro takes a commission of 10 percent on the payment from the farmer to the tractor owner, which totals USD 20 to USD 25 per acre. Mr Ansah-Amprofi said the mechanization helps the farmers increase their yields by 50 percent to 66 percent.
With more demand for tractors than its tractor owners can supply, Trotro has developed several methods for supporting tractor buyers. For example, Trotro’s data can help a bank