By Lilian Njeru
Worth Noting:
-
One of the most significant advancements in digital farming is the rise of mobile applications designed specifically for farmers.
-
For instance, platforms like iCow and FarmDrive are empowering farmers with real-time data on weather forecasts, soil health, pest control and even market prices. The Icow for example(called iCow Soko), provides a one stop dhop for farmers to trade, as well as interact with each other. It includes a gestation calendar, deworming calendar, vaccination calendar, and more and therefore it allows farmers to track their cows’ gestation period, and receive tips on breeding, diet and health .
-
Farmers register their cows and insemination date by SMS, and then receive SMS prompts and tips making it easy for farmers farming cows.
In recent years, the agriculture sector in Kenya, a backbone of the economy, has experienced a significant transformation, with digital technologies emerging as a game-changer.
With the increasing adoption of smartphones, internet connectivity, and digital platforms, a new wave of “digital farming” is reshaping the way farmers across the country approach agricultural practices.
Agriculture in Kenya is largely reliant on small-scale farmers who, despite their contribution to food production and the economy, face numerous challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns, poor access to markets, fertilizers and inadequate farming knowledge.
However, digital technologies are gradually providing solutions to these challenges, offering farmers an opportunity to enhance productivity, improve incomes and reduce losses during harvest.
One of the most significant advancements in digital farming is the rise of mobile applications designed specifically for farmers.
For instance, platforms like iCow and FarmDrive are empowering farmers with real-time data on weather forecasts, soil health, pest control and even market prices. The Icow for example(called iCow Soko), provides a one stop dhop for farmers to trade, as well as interact with each other. It includes a gestation calendar, deworming calendar, vaccination calendar, and more and therefore it allows farmers to track their cows’ gestation period, and receive tips on breeding, diet and health .
Farmers register their cows and insemination date by SMS, and then receive SMS prompts and tips making it easy for farmers farming cows.
Similarly, FarmDrive connects farmers to financial services by providing them with credit history records based on their farming activities. By gathering data on farm activities, such as planting schedules, input purchases, and harvest yields; FarmDrive creates a digital profile for farmers, making it easier for them to access loans from financial institutions. This is a vital service in a country where many smallholder farmers struggle to access financing due to lack of formal credit histories.
In addition to mobile applications, e-commerce platforms are playing a key role in connecting farmers directly with consumers and markets.
Traditionally, farmers have relied on middlemen to sell their produce, which often resulted in lower profits. However, platforms like Twiga Foods have disrupted this model by offering farmers a direct channel to urban markets.
Twiga Foods, for example, connects smallholder farmers in rural areas with retailers and consumers in cities like Nairobi, creating a more transparent and efficient food supply chain. This has resulted in better prices for farmers and reduced the number of intermediaries who used to take a large cut of the profits. Moreover, it has also ensured that fresh produce reaches consumers at fair prices.
Another key aspect of digital farming in Kenya is the rise of online platforms offering agricultural training and education. Websites like AgriProFocus, Farm kenya and Kenya Agriculture & Livestock Extension Programme offer farmers access to valuable resources, including training videos, webinars, and expert advice on topics such as crop rotation, pest management, and sustainable farming techniques.
This online knowledge-sharing is vital as it helps bridge the information gap that many farmers face, especially those in remote regions. For example, farmers can now learn how to implement modern farming techniques, reduce their dependency on harmful chemicals, and even shift towards organic farming methods that are not only more sustainable but also fetch higher market prices.
Despite the promising potential of digital farming, several challenges remain. One of the major obstacles is the lack of reliable internet connectivity in rural areas, where many farmers are located. While urban areas have embraced the digital revolution, the infrastructure in remote regions is still lacking, limiting access to critical information and services.
Moreover, there is a need for more awareness and training on how to use these digital tools. While many farmers in Kenya have mobile phones, they may not be fully aware of the range of services available to them. Partnerships between government agencies, private companies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be crucial in ensuring that farmers can fully harness the power of digital farming.
As Kenya continues to embrace digital technologies in agriculture, it is clear that the sector is poised for a transformation. Digital farming holds great potential to increase agricultural productivity, reduce poverty and enhance food security. However, overcoming challenges such as internet access and farmer education will be key to ensuring that these innovations reach their full potential.
The government, technology providers and the agricultural sector must work together to ensure that digital tools are accessible, affordable and widely adopted. With the right investments in technology and infrastructure, Kenya’s farmers can usher in a new era of prosperity and sustainability in agriculture.
