Safaricom’s DigiFarm platform has won the Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets in this year’s Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO). Digifarm was recognised for demonstrating very impressive collaboration between stakeholders, demonstrating how relatively simple and, by today’s standard, ‘old’ technology can be used to improve the lives of millions.
The heritability of milk production is around 30% i.e. one third, whilst 70% i.e. two thirds is attributed to environment. The extend to which the genetic production potential depends on the ability of the dairy farmer to control environment factors to the advantage of the cow by creating a conducive environment for a cow to reach its potential.
Over 7 million smallholder farmers toil in their farm to feed the Kenyan population. With the population growing, it’s an exciting time to be a farmer. It is also a challenging time especially because of the threat of climate change. As we begin a new decade we look at some of the agricultural trends to expect in 2020.
In March 2019, Digifarm launched a program that will engage farmers from the Oluch Kimira irrigation scheme within the County to plant soya beans. Being the first time that Soya is being produced commercially in the County, an exposition tour was organized for some farmers to visit a model farm in Mbooni, Makueni County.
KLPA staff have been working tirelessly to spread the gospel of DigiFarm and recruit farmers on to the platform. DigiFarm believes in continuous learning and skills development and organized a capacity building seminar for KLPA staff on Saturday 11th May 2019 at the beautiful Mapple Inn in Ruiru.
In 2017, Safaricom in collaboration with several partners ventured into agriculture by developing a product aimed at facilitating delivery of solutions to farmers countrywide dubbed DigiFarm. The product addresses the inadequacies experienced by smallholder farmers by providing solutions that will help them turn their agricultural activities into profitable ventures.
Thousands of Makueni farmers are looking at better days growing sunflower. Through contract farming, Bidco has partnered with Makueni County and Safaricom through use of a mobile based app, Digifarm, through which farmers get agronomical advise, credit facilities and all the necessary extension services on their mobile phone.
Kenya’s giant network provider Safaricom partnered with the Kenya Livestock Producers Association (KLPA) and the Homa Bay County Government to host a two day Agribusiness Trade Fair in Kendu Bay Show ground in Homa Bay County on the 1st and 2nd March 2019 bringing together farmers, agricultural groups