Who

are we?

Lersha’ (ለእርሻ) is an Amharic equivalent to the phrase 'for agriculture’. It represents the desire to fulfill the agricultural needs of small holder farmers through innovation.

What

we do

Lersha provides a one-stop digital service to small holder farmers and enables them to access farm inputs, hire mechanization services, and request dynamic agro-climate advice using technology.

How

we do it

A one stop digital platform where farmers directly or through Lersha Agents access their farming needs using technology. The platform combines a mobile application, a call center and lersha agents to facilitate transactions with farmers.

years in the making

2010 - 2018
Feb, 2018
Mar, 2018
Nov, 2018
Mar, 2019
Oct, 2019
Feb, 2020
Jun, 2020
Sep - Nov, 2020
Mar, 2021

Prior agribusiness Experience
2010 - 2018
The founder has entrepreneurial experience on many agricultural value chains extending from horticulture, farm input and mechanization service provision to contract farming
Market platform study
February, 2018
A detailed marker platform study was conducted by engaging farmers, development agents, government officials, service providers and farm service centers to understand the fit of such digital platforms among the agricultural value chain
Exposure visit
March - Nov, 2018
An exposure visits to Georgia, India, Nigeria, Kenya & Germany to learn and witness the impact of digital agriculture on smallholder farmer’s productivity & livelihood. The visit helped us to meet founders of various digital platform dialogue with users and the development team who built the platform
Initial discussion with MoA
November 2018
The first meeting with the ministry of Agriculture (Ethiopia) to assess the policy & regulatory framework to develop & operationalize a digital platform. Since then, MoA continued to work with us as a partner.
Team development
March 2019
It didn’t take us a long time to recruit young, innovative and agribusiness passionate team members given our presence in the market for more than 8 years. Our team consists of agripreneurs, software engineers, agronomist and marketing experts.
Partner onboarding
October, 2019
“Lersha” commenced discussion with various partners as identified on the market platform development process. Green Innovation Center (GIC), International Wheat and Maize Research Center (CIMMYT), Inter Church Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) and Arsi University
Early prototype
February, 2020
The development and operation team successfully designed the early prototype of the platform. This early vision served as a demonstration tool allowing users to experience the platform & generate feedback
Lersha agent recruitment & Training
June, 2020
A recruitment of Lersha Agent, a university graduate in agricultural fields but unemployed, to serve as a bridge between the platform and the small holder narrowing a technology and literacy gap. They are recruited from at a smallest village level (Kebele) and assigned to the same area
Pre-Pilot & Pilot in Arsi & West Arsi Zones
September - November, 2020
10 Farm Service Centers (FSC) and 32 mechanization service providers are onboard to take part in Lersha Digital Agriculture Platform. More than 11,600 smallholder farmers are registered and use at least one service from the platform.
Scale up to other Geographical area
Mar, 2021
Scale up targets to introduce Lersha Platform into East Gojjam and Bale Zone areas.

Our Services

Farm Input & Mechanization

Lersha's agricultural marketplace empowers farmers to effortlessly purchase inputs and mechanization services. Utilizing the expertise of digitally-enabled youth known as "Lersha Agents," farmers benefit from informed decisions backed by credible advice. Through the convenience of a mobile app, these agents ensure seamless service delivery, eliminating transportation costs for smallholder farmers while enhancing their overall experience.

Facilitating Aggregation

Lersha is revolutionizing agriculture through aggregation strategies for inputs, mechanization, and livestock. By aggregating inputs, farmers access resources at competitive rates, boosted by real-time data. Lersha's mechanization and livestock approaches optimize operations and market access, driving rural economic development and sustainability

Agro-Climate Advisory & Crop Extension

Lersha aims to solve inadequate advisory services leading to poor agronomic practices and slow reaction towards changes. The advisory content is provided or verified by the Ministry of Agriculture. Through our Lersha Agents, every farmer can get this advisory access on time and on point.

Access to Finance

Lersha is reshaping finance for smallholder farmers through personalized credit scoring and input loans, tailored to individual needs. This integration of financial solutions with insurance ensures investment security, bolstering resilience in agriculture and promoting financial inclusion.

Make Agriculture Easy
For Everyone!

Who

What

How

years in the making

Prior agribusiness Experience

Market platform study

Exposure visit

Initial discussion with MoA

Team development

Partner onboarding

Early prototype

Lersha agent recruitment & Training

Pre-Pilot & Pilot in Arsi & West Arsi Zones

Scale up to other Geographical area

Our Services

Farm Input & Mechanization

Facilitating Aggregation

Agro-Climate Advisory & Crop Extension

Access to Finance

Are you a
Service Provider?

Learn More

Our Partners

Contact Us

Head Office

Kenya Liaison Office

Regional Offices

Make Agriculture Easy For Everyone!

Who

What

How

years in the making

Prior agribusiness Experience

Market platform study

Exposure visit

Initial discussion with MoA

Team development

Partner onboarding

Early prototype

Lersha agent recruitment & Training

Pre-Pilot & Pilot in Arsi & West Arsi Zones

Scale up to other Geographical area

Our Services

Farm Input & Mechanization

Facilitating Aggregation

Agro-Climate Advisory & Crop Extension

Access to Finance

Are you aService Provider?

Learn More

Our Partners

Contact Us

Head Office

Kenya Liaison Office

Regional Offices

Make Agriculture Easy
For Everyone!

Are you a
Service Provider?