Nigeria has some of the most hardworking farmers, yet millions go hungry. Over 24.8 million Nigerians are food insecure today, and if things don’t change, that number will climb to 33 million by next year. But it’s not because we don’t have food; much of it never reaches the market. Our farmers are losing up to 50% of their harvests due to poor storage, lack of buyers, and exploitative middlemen. While food rots in fields, prices in urban areas keep rising, making it harder for everyday Nigerians to afford a meal.
This is where Chinomso Onwukwe, an Agricultural and Biosciences Engineer and the founder of Zonia, steps in, bridging the gap between farmers and buyers to ensure that no produce is wasted and no farmer is left behind.
Her background story
Her journey into agriculture began long before Zonia was even a concept. Growing up in a farming family, she witnessed firsthand the challenges smallholder farmers face. Her father, a farmer, struggled to make ends meet, often returning from the market with little to show for his hard work.
“It was a hand-to-mouth existence,” she recalls. “I saw how farmers were exploited by middlemen, and I knew something had to change.”
Determined to make a difference, Chinomso pursued a degree in Agricultural and Biosciences Engineering at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. While at university, she noticed a troubling trend. Many of her peers and even lecturers were switching to fields like mechanical engineering, believing agriculture offered no future. Their perception fueled her resolve to prove that agriculture could be both profitable and transformative.
In 2015, while still a student, Chinomso founded Sumptous Farm Limited, a production and processing business focused on converting local agricultural products like snails and okra into value-added goods for export. Sumptous Farm was her first attempt to change the narrative around agriculture, showing that it could be a viable and lucrative career path.
Bridging the gap between farmers and buyers with Zonia
Running Sumptous Farm exposed a huge problem. Sourcing quality raw materials from local farmers wasn’t easy.
“I would go to local markets and often end up with bad products or face logistical nightmares,” she explains. This challenge, coupled with her father’s struggles, inspired her to create a solution that would benefit not just herself but thousands of farmers across Nigeria.
In 2020, Chinomso founded Zonia, a platform designed to connect farmers directly with buyers, eliminating exploitative middlemen, ensuring fair pricing and streamlining procurement. After two years of modifications and testing, Zonia was officially launched in 2023 and was incorporated in 2025. Today, it operates as a business linkage platform, directly connecting farmers with buyers to ensure fair pricing, transparency, and reduced post-harvest losses.
One of Zonia’s standout features is its AI-powered voice translation tool, which bridges language barriers between farmers and buyers.
“Many farmers aren’t fluent in English, so this tool allows them to communicate in their local languages,” Chinomso explains. The platform also supports international languages, making it easier for farmers to export their products globally.
Zonia also has an escrow payment system, allowing for payments to be securely held until goods are verified for quality, ensuring transparency and trust.
Additionally, Zonia’s real-time logistics tracking system has significantly reduced post-harvest losses. By ensuring that goods are transported quickly and efficiently, the platform helps farmers maximise their profits.
How Zonia works: A step-by-step guide for farmers
For many smallholder farmers, accessing reliable buyers is a constant struggle. Zonia simplifies the process through a structured, technology-driven approach:
- Farmer Onboarding & Verification: Farmers sign up on the Zonia platform, undergo a background check, and list their produce.
- Product Listing & Visibility: Off-takers (buyers) browse listed products and place orders.
- Escrow Payment System: Payments are securely held until goods are verified for quality, ensuring transparency and trust.
- Real-Time Logistics Tracking: Farmers and buyers can track goods from the farm to the destination, mitigating risks of theft or spoilage.
- AI-Powered Voice Translation: To bridge language barriers, Zonia offers voice translation, allowing farmers to communicate seamlessly with buyers.
Impact and success stories
Since its launch, Zonia has transformed the way farmers sell their produce. By eliminating middlemen, farmers now receive better prices, reducing financial insecurity. With real-time logistics, Zonia significantly reduces product losses, ensuring buyers always receive fresh, high-quality goods.
For instance, tomato farmers in Kano who previously struggled with unsold produce now have guaranteed off-takers before harvest, reducing waste and maximising earnings. Similarly, grain farmers in Benue are leveraging the platform to reach international buyers, expanding their market potential beyond Nigeria.
Zonia’s impact extends beyond individual farmers. By partnering with cooperatives and leveraging their networks, the platform has reached even the most remote rural areas. “We’ve built trust with these communities, and that’s key to our success,” Chinomso notes.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. One of the biggest challenges Zonia faces is regulatory compliance. Getting export licenses and quality certifications is tough, but the team is working on securing everything needed to scale globally.
Despite these hurdles, Chinomso is optimistic. Headquartered in Owerri, Nigeria, Zonia is already expanding into Benue, Kano, and Jigawa. Within the next five years, she envisions Zonia as one of the largest platforms of its kind, not just in Nigeria but across Africa.
“We want to dominate the Nigerian market first, then expand to the rest of Africa,” she says confidently.
How farmers can get involved
If you are a smallholder farmer looking for better market access and fair prices or an entrepreneur wanting to make a difference in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, Zonia is here to help. Farmers can sign up on Zonia’s website, complete verification, and start selling immediately.
For farmers interested in joining the platform, fill out this survey form to begin your journey toward a brighter future.
With food insecurity rising and post-harvest losses costing Nigerian farmers billions, solutions like Zonia are not just innovations; they are lifelines. By leveraging technology to connect farmers with buyers, ensuring fair pricing, and streamlining logistics, Chinomso Onwukwe is proving that agriculture can once again be a pillar of prosperity. If smallholder farmers thrive, Nigeria thrives, and Zonia is making that future possible.
