By JANE WAITHIRA
Farmers in the country are increasingly turning to technology to boost productivity and modernise agricultural practices.
Innovations such as mobile farming applications and data-driven crop monitoring are enabling farmers to make informed decisions, improve yields, and reduce losses. These tools are helping farmers track weather patterns, monitor soil conditions, and detect early signs of pests or disease, which can significantly reduce crop failures.
Digital Green, a non-governmental organisation, has rolled out a programme targeting small-scale farmers in rural areas by disseminating information through a mobile application dubbed Farmer Chat. The application provides tailored information to farmers based on their specific agricultural activities, helping many achieve increased production on their farms.
According to the organisation’s country programme coordinator, Jackline Wambui, at least 200,000 farmers across six counties are currently enrolled in the pilot phase of the programme. She noted that the app is powered by artificial intelligence, allowing farmers to ask questions about challenges they face and receive prompt feedback.
Wambui said about 30 per cent of registered users are highly active on the platform, frequently seeking guidance and applying the knowledge gained. “The application provides advisory information on crop farming and animal husbandry, which farmers can directly apply in their operations,” she said. “We have also recorded a significant impact, with at least 70 per cent of users reporting increased production. Many are now sharing these insights with fellow farmers,” she added.
However, Wambui cited poor and unreliable mobile network coverage—especially in rural areas—as a major challenge in reaching more farmers. She added that the application is free to use after installation, making it more accessible to smallholder farmers.
In collaboration with other partners, Digital Green is also working to link farmers to markets by connecting them with nearby schools where they can supply produce and earn income. “We do not have direct access to markets, but we are leveraging existing structures such as school feeding programmes to help farmers sell their produce,” she explained.
Currently, Digital Green is working with farmers in Nyeri, Nakuru, Nandi, Laikipia, Murang’a and Kiambu counties, with plans to expand to other regions after evaluating the pilot phase. Meanwhile, Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Kenya is partnering in the initiative to promote sustainable farming practices.
PELUM Kenya’s Head of Programmes, Manei Naanyu, said the organisation will establish agroecological kitchen gardens in public primary schools, transforming them into practical learning centres for students and surrounding communities. “PELUM will create awareness among farmers on the benefits of growing organic food, while working with 2,700 smallholder farmers across six sub-counties,” said Naanyu.
“We have been training farmers on agroecology. Although adoption is still low, we are optimistic that more farmers will embrace the practice for sustainable agriculture,” she added. Naanyu said the programme is also equipping farmers with skills to produce organic manure and natural herbicides, reducing reliance on synthetic and potentially harmful chemicals. “Growing food organically can help farmers access global markets and generate higher incomes,” she said.
The initiative, they noted, also encourages farmers to document and share success stories, creating a community of practice that reinforces sustainable methods and fosters peer-to-peer learning across the participating counties.
