TaniTokou: An AI-Powered Digital Tamu for Sabah's Farmers
Rebuilding the digital bridge between grassroots farmers and buyers to increase income, reduce waste, and empower our local communities.
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The Problem We Solve: A Farmer's Heartbreak
The inspiration for TaniTokou came from the real-life struggles of Sabahan farmers. It is a common and heartbreaking story: a grassroots farmer spends an entire day trying to sell their fresh produce, only to return home empty-handed with vegetables that will soon spoil. This experience is a symptom of a larger, systemic problem in Sabah's agricultural supply chain: massive produce waste (known locally as 'lambakan'), dependency on exploitative middlemen, and a lack of direct access to markets for grassroots farmers.
Our Solution: Sabah's First Digital Tamu
TaniTokou is the solution. It is a digital marketplace, or 'Digital Tamu', that connects farmers directly to buyers across Sabah. Our platform empowers farmers to set their own prices, gain market access, and utilize a 'sell before you harvest' model to drastically reduce waste and financial risk. For buyers, it provides a single, efficient platform to source the freshest, most authentic local produce directly from the farm.
Innovation for Everyone: AI-Powered Voice Submission
Our primary innovation is built for inclusivity. We understand that not all farmers are tech-savvy. That's why we've developed a system powered by Google's Gemini AI. Farmers can list their produce simply by taking a picture and recording a voice note in their native dialect. Our AI transcribes and structures the information automatically, removing the digital literacy barrier. We call this 'Radical Digital Inclusivity'—technology that understands our people, not the other way around.
Clear Value for Our Community
For Farmers
- ✓ Direct Market Access & Pricing Power
- ✓ Empowerment Through Market Intelligence
- ✓ Increased Profit and Reduced Waste
For Buyers
- ✓ Exclusive Access to Authentic Local Produce
- ✓ Efficient Sourcing Tool for Businesses
- ✓ Save Time, Energy, and Cost
Our Progress So Far
TaniTokou is more than just an idea. We have a live Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that is currently being used by an initial group of farmers in Sabah. We are proud to be recognized as a State Finalist in the PitchBorneo 2025 competition, a testament to the viability and importance of our mission.