{"id":170873,"date":"2024-06-19T05:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/?p=170873"},"modified":"2024-06-19T05:53:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T10:53:00","slug":"ictp-307-navigating-the-twists-and-turns-of-entrepreneurship-with-danelia-doyle-of-farm-credibly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2024\/06\/ictp-307-navigating-the-twists-and-turns-of-entrepreneurship-with-danelia-doyle-of-farm-credibly\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 307: Navigating the twists and turns of entrepreneurship, with Danelia Doyle of FarmCredibly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the Caribbean region, small-scale farming is the backbone of our agriculture sector but often, it is difficult for farmers to access funding that would be open to ventures in other sectors. FarmCredibly has been working on addressing such challenges by providing simplified financial services to underbanked farmers in Jamaica. In a follow-up conversation with one of its Co-Founders, Danelia Doyle, we discuss, among other things:\u00a0 how FarmCredibly has evolved since our first conversation in 2021; the new WhatsApp-based accounting service FarmCredibly has developed; why most start-ups fail; and important lessons she has learned since launching FarmCredibly.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/iframe><div style=\"font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" title=\"ICT Pulse Podcast\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">ICT Pulse Podcast<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\/ictp-307-navigating-the-twists\" title=\"ICTP 307: Navigating the twists and turns of entrepreneurship, with Danelia Doyle of FarmCredibly\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener\">ICTP 307: Navigating the twists and turns of entrepreneurship, with Danelia Doyle of Farm Credibly<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis episode is also available on <a href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/user-673719274\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SoundCloud<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9pY3QtcHVsc2UtcG9kY2FzdC5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Google Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3d0U4ZYX80e5lenYLdzyX4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotify<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/3f727ec1-de7d-416f-8bdc-31d9a911a09e\/ict-pulse-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon Music<\/a>!!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAlthough we may not fully appreciate it, small farmers are the bedrock of Caribbean society. Many of our countries are very mountainous or have poor soils or little arable land, thus making agriculture difficult and in many instances, not very profitable. However, these small farms help us to feed ourselves and contribute to our food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, many Caribbean farmers are underbanked, and so are unable to access financing through traditional sources. This has been a perennial pain point, as the lack of funding for farming inherently hinders their growth and development, and keeps them at a subsistence existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn 2021, as part of a podcast series we did on technology-based social enterprises \u2013 that is, tech businesses that have a social impact among their core objectives \u2013 we featured FarmCredibly, which at the time, was known as a digital cooperative for farms that provides access to micro-investments for farmers in Jamaica. Three years later, a lot has happened. We have survived a pandemic, agriculture technology (or agritech) is booming with investment, we are moving closer to being digitally transformed and artificial intelligence is becoming mainstream. We are thus circling back to check in on FarmCredibly to see how it has been evolving and what lessons it has learnt along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introducing our guest and FarmCredibly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/danelia-doyle-95b1b6176\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Danelia Doyle<\/strong><\/a> is a co-founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/farmcredibly.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">FarmCredibly<\/strong><\/a>, Jamaica\u2019s first farm funding platform. She is committed to innovation and sustainability in agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWith over a decade of experience in project and business management, Danelia has honed her skills across various industries, including Media and Communications, Food and Customer Services, Event Management, Software Development, and FinTech.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFounded in 2018 by Varun Baker and Danelia Doyle, FarmCredibly addresses the challenges faced by Jamaica\u2019s farmers. Recognising the profound impact of farmers\u2019 exclusion from funding and technology access, the pair initially focused on providing simplified financial services to underbanked farmers, thereby transforming their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMore recently, FarmCredibly has introduced a WhatsApp-based tool that offers real-time financial insights and personalised support. This technological advancement empowers farmers to make informed decisions and optimise resource allocation. It streamlines farm operations and enhances financial literacy and stability within the agricultural community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Insights into our conversation<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWithout a doubt, the life of a small farmer is tough. Besides battling Mother Nature, pests and thieves, struggling to keep a farm alive and ensuring there is enough to harvest, is an ongoing battle. So, technology solutions that in some way can address some of their challenges, can only be a good thing!<\/p>\n\n\n\nEngaging and very self-aware, it was a joy to chat with Danelia and to learn of all the pivots FarmCredibly has had to make since we interviewed the other Co-Founder, Varun Baker, in 2021. Two of the biggest takeaways from this conversation are solutions that should work in principle may not work in practice, and do not disregard simple solutions that may not be as tech-forward as you might want. Working within the skills and resources available to your customer base will increase the chances of take-up, and ultimately, success.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBelow are questions posed to Danelia that drove our conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How would you describe FarmCredibly, and do also share with us some of your background and what drove you to set up this venture?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since FarmCredibly was launched in 2018, how has the \u2018business of farming\u2019 evolved? Were there any pronounced or continuing trends since the pandemic?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What has been happening with FarmCredibly since Varun was on the Podcast in 2021?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has the FarmCredibly business model evolved over the years?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>FarmCredibly has introduced a WhatsApp-based accounting service to assist farmers with bookkeeping and farm management. What is the pain point this service is trying to address?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agriculture and agritech have become popular in the region, especially since funding may be a bit more readily available than before. What are your thoughts on this?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many start-ups, and more so tech start-ups, fail.  In managing a small business yourself, what insights can you share?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has FarmCredibly been able to forge strategic partnerships in other countries?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What important lessons have you learnt since launching FarmCredibly?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where would you like to see FarmCredibly in the next three years?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nWe would love to hear your thoughts!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDo leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a> pages, or via Twitter, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@ICTPulse<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAlso, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">do get in touch<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s make it happen!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Select links<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBelow are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/danelia-doyle-95b1b6176\/\" title=\"\">Danelia Doyle<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmcredibly.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">FarmCredibly<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ICT Pulse Podcast episode, <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/38Z1Bkn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ICTP 138: Leveraging technology to provide micro investment to farmers, with Varun Baker of Farm Credibly<\/a> <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nImages credit:  D Doyle;  Steven Weeks (<a href=\"http:\/\/unsplash.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Unsplash<\/a>); Eveline de Bruin (<a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pixabay<\/a>);  Dastan Khdir (<a href=\"http:\/\/pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pexels<\/a>);  Linny (<a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pixabay<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMusic credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Ch\u00e9rie), by Andy Narrell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPodcast editing Support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the Caribbean region, small-scale farming is the backbone of our agriculture sector but often, it is difficult for farmers to access funding that would be open to ventures in other sectors. Farm Credibly has been working on addressing such challenges by providing simplified financial services to underbanked farmers in Jamaica. In a follow-up conversation with one of its Co-Founders, Danelia Doyle, we discuss, among other things: how Farm Credibly has evolved since our first conversation in 2021; the new WhatsApp-based accounting service Farm credibly has developed; why most start-ups fail; and important lessons she has learned since launching Farm Credibly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":170875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[71,205,204,357,470],"class_list":["post-170873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-businesses","tag-entrepreneurship-2","tag-innovation-2","tag-interviews","tag-social-entrepreneurship","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Featured-Image-%E2%80%93-Farm-Credibly-2024-update.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-Is1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=170873"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":170887,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170873\/revisions\/170887"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/170875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=170873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=170873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=170873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}