Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to FarmConnect SL. These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our agricultural marketplace platform. By accessing or using FarmConnect SL, you agree to be bound by these terms.

FarmConnect SL is a platform that connects farmers, buyers, and community agents in Sierra Leone to facilitate agricultural trade and support rural communities.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" refers to the FarmConnect SL website and mobile applications
• "Users" refers to all registered members including Farmers, Buyers, and Community Agents
• "Farmers" are agricultural producers who list products on the platform
• "Buyers" are individuals or businesses purchasing agricultural products
• "Community Agents" are intermediaries who help farmers access the platform
• "Products" refers to agricultural goods listed for sale

3. User Accounts

3.1 Registration

• You must provide accurate and complete information during registration
• Email verification is required for self-registered farmers and buyers
• Community agents must provide National ID verification and await admin approval
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials

3.2 Account Types

• Farmers: Can list and sell agricultural products
• Buyers: Can browse products and contact farmers
• Community Agents: Can register farmers and post products on their behalf

3.3 Account Security

• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms
• You may not transfer your account to another person

4. Use of Platform

4.1 Permitted Use

• Browse and search for agricultural products
• List agricultural products for sale (farmers only)
• Contact sellers and buyers for transactions
• Provide and receive reviews and ratings

4.2 Prohibited Activities

Users must NOT:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent product listings
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• Use the platform for illegal activities
• Attempt to manipulate ratings or reviews
• Scrape or copy content without permission
• Share account credentials with others
• List prohibited or restricted items

5. Product Listings

5.1 Farmer Responsibilities

• Provide accurate descriptions, quantities, and prices
• Upload genuine photos of the actual products
• Keep product availability status updated
• Respond promptly to buyer inquiries
• Comply with all applicable agricultural regulations

5.2 Platform's Role

• FarmConnect SL is a marketplace platform, not a party to transactions
• We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of products
• We may remove listings that violate our policies
• We do not handle payments or delivery directly

6. Transactions

6.1 Buyer-Seller Agreement

• Transactions are directly between buyers and farmers
• Prices, payment terms, and delivery are agreed between parties
• FarmConnect SL facilitates communication but does not participate in transactions

6.2 Payment

• Payment methods are agreed between buyer and seller
• FarmConnect SL does not process payments at this time
• Users should exercise caution and use secure payment methods

6.3 Disputes

• Disputes should be resolved directly between parties
• FarmConnect SL may provide mediation assistance but is not obligated to do so
• We reserve the right to suspend accounts involved in repeated disputes

7. Community Agents

7.1 Agent Responsibilities

• Provide National ID verification during registration
• Accurately represent farmers they assist
• Maintain ethical standards in all interactions
• Obtain farmer consent before posting on their behalf
• Ensure commission agreements are transparent and fair

7.2 Commission

• Agents may charge commission as agreed with farmers
• Commission rates must be disclosed to farmers
• FarmConnect SL does not regulate commission rates

7.3 Approval Process

• Agent accounts require admin approval before activation
• We reserve the right to reject applications without explanation
• Approved status may be revoked for violations

8. Intellectual Property

• FarmConnect SL owns all platform content, design, and functionality
• Users retain ownership of content they upload (product photos, descriptions)
• By uploading content, you grant us a license to display and distribute it on the platform
• You must not use our trademarks without permission

9. Privacy

Your use of the platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

FarmConnect SL is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Accuracy of product listings
• Quality or safety of products
• Conduct of other users
• Successful transactions

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• FarmConnect SL is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• We are not responsible for losses arising from transactions between users
• Our total liability is limited to the fees paid to us (currently none)
• Users engage in transactions at their own risk

12. Termination

12.1 By Users

• You may delete your account at any time through account settings
• Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone

12.2 By FarmConnect SL

We may suspend or terminate accounts that:

• Violate these Terms and Conditions
• Engage in fraudulent activity
• Receive multiple user complaints
• Remain inactive for extended periods

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Sierra Leone. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Sierra Leone.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

• Email: support@farmconnectsl.farm
• Phone: +232 79 564768
• Address: Freetown, Sierra Leone