CornHouse237 supports rural maize farmers by providing PICS bags and secure warehousing to minimize post-harvest losses. They facilitate access to micro-loans using warehouse receipts as collateral, offering farmers financial flexibility. Finally, the company aggregates and sells the maize in high-value markets to maximize farmer profits.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Over 1 million rural maize farmers in Cameroon lose roughly 40 % of their harvest each season due to inadequate storage, and the urgent need for cash forces them to sell early to predatory middlemen at low prices, resulting in an estimated $104 million annual income loss.
Solution
CornHouse creates a low‑cost, end‑to‑end post‑harvest value chain for smallholder maize producers. The organization distributes hermetic PICS bags that protect grain from pests and moisture, enabling farmers to store their harvest safely on‑farm. Harvested maize intended for sale is then aggregated in a secure, climate‑controlled warehouse where CornHouse issues warehouse receipts that quantify the stored volume and estimated value. These receipts serve as collateral for micro‑loans from partner micro‑finance institutions, giving farmers liquidity while they wait for favorable market conditions. Once sufficient volume is accumulated, CornHouse sells the aggregated maize to high‑value buyers, returns net proceeds to the farmers after repaying loans and deducting minimal transaction costs, and provides ongoing training in agronomic practices, financial literacy, and business management.
Target Audience
Primary customers are smallholder maize farmers in rural Cameroon who lack access to reliable storage, affordable credit, and fair market outlets.
Features
- Hermetic PICS bag distribution with proven pest‑exclusion technology for on‑farm long‑term storage
- Secure, climate‑controlled aggregation warehouse with inventory tracking and receipt issuance
- Warehouse receipt system that quantifies stored grain and enables collateralized micro‑loans via partnered MFIs
- Integrated loan facilitation platform linking farmers to micro‑finance partners for short‑term working capital
- Consolidated sales channel that aggregates farmer produce and negotiates contracts with high‑value regional and international buyers
- Capacity‑building program covering sustainable farming techniques, financial literacy, and market negotiation skills
- Ongoing farmer support hotline and field advisory visits to ensure proper storage handling and market readiness