XtraPay - thanks to farmers

Simple in the supermarket

Many consumers would be prepared to pay more for food from developing countries provided their money goes to the workers. With XtraPay, consumers who buy a pineapple can make a voluntary payment of 20 cents, which goes straight to the workers at the farm in Ghana. To do so, they simply have to present the small card attached to the pineapple at the supermarket checkout.

Unique connection

The cashiers scan the card along with the rest of the shopping. This is an easy way for the consumers to help reduce the social inequalities in developing countries. It also allows them to find out more about where their pineapple came from. Anna Peter, project initiator, explains the idea:

“With XtraPay, we establish a unique connection between the consumer and the farm worker. Consumers find out where their products come from and can offer their thanks to the people at the start of the supply chain.”

Mobile money on a mobile phone

But how do the workers receive their money? They receive their token of thanks in the form of “Mobile Money” on their mobile phones. Their “Mobile Money” allows them to pay in their local shops or withdraw cash.

Cooperation on a broad basis

XtraPay is implemented by the EZ-Scout programme on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and supported by the Strategic Partnership Digital Africa (SPDA). The system is operated in cooperation with the Federal Association of Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), the Görge fresh markets, MTN Ghana, Tropigha Farms and the GIZ Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP) in Ghana, which supports companies and workers by providing training in good farming practices and marketing.