When farming advice comes too late or not at all, everyone loses. Michael Bruderli, co-founder of sproot, shares how they deliver real-time guidance right to farmers’ phones. No fuss, just WhatsApp.
Outgrower schemes, where small-scale farmers grow crops under contract for a larger agribusiness, have long been a vital link between rural farmers and lucrative markets.
That said, many of these schemes still run on outdated systems, from paper-based contracts to verbal updates, leading to inefficiencies and lost opportunities. However, sproot, a digital platform, is now redefining how contract farming works across Africa.
Food For Mzansi spoke to Michael Bruderli, co-founder of sproot, to explore how digitisation is shaping the future of outgrower schemes and why smallholder farmers stand to benefit the most.
“sproot is a digital platform designed specifically for managing outgrower networks at scale in Africa,” Bruderli explains.
“We help agribusinesses manage critical workflows like contracts, farming best practices, build polygons, and yield predictions, all in one place. What really sets us apart is that we deliver all of this directly to smallholder farmers via WhatsApp.”
For farmers, this means no complicated apps or new technologies. Just weekly messages sent through WhatsApp-offering clear instructions on what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.
On the agribusiness side, they gain access to a real-time online dashboard that provides data on everything from field performance to yield forecasts.
Why digitising outgrower schemes matters
Outgrower schemes are essential for linking smallholders to markets, inputs, and income. But many of these programmes lack the structure and tools to operate effectively at scale.
Digitising outgrower schemes means replacing informal paper-based systems with structured digital workflows that bring visibility, accountability, and scale, says Bruderli.
“Most agribusinesses today still rely on scattered spreadsheets, manual contract signing, and verbal field updates. That leads to massive inefficiencies—inputs go missing, tasks don’t get done, and deals underperform.”
sproot tackles these challenges by enabling:
- Real-time visibility into field activities
- Digital contracts and task management
- Yield forecasting and input tracking
- Performance measurement and fraud reduction
With this structure in place, agribusinesses can “manage by exception” – focusing on areas that require urgent action instead of chasing down routine updates. Meanwhile, farmers benefit from timely guidance, resulting in improved practices and higher yields.n areas that require urgent action instead of chasing down routine updates. Meanwhile, farmers benefit from timely guidance, resulting in improved practices and higher yields.
Making tech accessible for every farmer
One of the biggest hurdles for digital agriculture is access. Many small-scale farmers don’t have smartphones or stable internet. sproot addresses this head-on.
Bruderli says they designed sproot to be fully inclusive from day one. “The platform works through WhatsApp, which is already widely used by smallholders across Africa. It removes the need for apps, training, or even high digital literacy.”
For those without smartphones, sproot works through lead farmers who are trusted individuals within the community who act as local coordinators. And with offline syncing features, even areas with limited connectivity can fully participate.
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sproot opens doors to investors
sproot is entering an exciting phase of growth, with live deployments, real clients, and measurable impact already proving the strength of its model.
“What really excites us is that the model is working,” says Brudeli.
The company is now actively expanding its footprint across East and Southern Africa, with a mission to reach tens of thousands of smallholder farmers through its digital platform. Their WhatsApp-based system and real-time data dashboard are already changing the way agribusinesses and farmers interact, and the team is doubling down on that success.
To take this impact even further, sproot is building new platform features that will make it a comprehensive solution for inclusive, data-driven agriculture.
“We’re also building new layers into the platform – AI-driven agronomy, embedded finance, and market linkages – so that sproot becomes a full-stack solution,” Brudeli explains.
These enhancements are designed to support farmers more holistically, enabling better decision-making, financial inclusion, and access to markets, all grounded in verified performance data.
To support this next stage, sproot is currently raising investment. “If you’re an investor or partner who believes in scalable agritech that delivers both impact and returns, we really would like to talk to you,” says Brudeli.
Interested parties can reach the team directly by visiting www.sproot.com or contacting Michael Brudeli at michael@sproot.com.
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