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DigiFarm

DigiFarm: A digital platform for farmers

DigiFarm is Safaricom’s integrated mobile-based platform for digital services tailored for smallholder farmers. DigiFarm’s platform model opens up the marketplace for farmers to access products and services from financial institutions, agri-input providers, and other value-added service firms, enabling farmers to easily source, transact, learn, grow.

The service is accessed by dialing *283# on a Safaricom line.

Why DigiFarm?

“DigiFarm was born out of the realization that the small-holder farmer has remained the same ever since. We sort to answer the question of why the small-holder farmer has remained the same, that was actually the genesis of why we got into farming.” – Fredrick Kiio, M-Agri Business lead at Safaricom.

To design DigiFarm,  Safaricom with support from Mercy Corps AgriFin,  employed human centered design to get a deep understanding of the attitudes, believes, motivations, and social norms that influence farmer behaviour. They assessed the needs and challenges across several value chains including seasonal cycles, financing needs and routes to market. They went further and delved into the complexities of ecosystem players and market dynamics by mapping out the broader ecosystem of players in financing, input provision, aggregation, off-take as well as understanding relevant policies and development priorities.

Safaricom identified four major challenges that faced the Kenyan small holder farmers. this included:

  • 1. Expensive and poor quality inputs that lead to low yields.
  • 2. A lack of access to knowledge resources to improve agronomy
  • 3. High cost and limited availability of credit which limit opportunities to invest to improve their farms.
  • 4. Limited channels to market which leads to low bargaining power and post-harvest losses
  • Farmers reached

    Currently 1,300,000 farmers are registered. KLPA has rolled out the DigiFarm Village Advisor network, providing 1,500 field experts to support farmers’ digital journey.

  • Access to knowledge

    Nearly 310k farmers have accessed DigiFarm learning content through platform learning partners including Arifu, iCow and Mediae.

  • Farmer Financing

    More than 50k farmers have purchased inputs through the DigiFarm input platform with partner iProcure, many of whom were repeat customers.

  • Access to markets

    DigiSoko connects farmers to buyers in specific value chains including Bidco Africa, East Africa Maltings Limited, Unga group, Mamlaka Foods and Capwell industries.

County Map

DigiFarm's Foot Print

maize icon

Maize: TransNzoia, Kericho and Migori Counties

sorghum icon

Sorghum: Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Bungoma, Kakamega and Migori Counties

Sunflower icon

Sunflower: Migori, Makueni and Meru Counties

Ndengu icon

Green grams: Makueni and Kitui Counties

Soya icon

Soya: Migori and Homa Bay Counties

Potatoes icon

Potatoes: Elgeyo Marakwet County

DigiFarm FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DigiFarm?

DigiFarm is a Safaricom service that offers farmers convenient, one-stop access to register, buy farm inputs, access learning content on farming and access their farm records.

How do I access DigiFarm?

By dialing *283# and then select the option you want to access.

Do I need to pay to access *283#?

No, the service is free.

What are the features are available on DigiFarm?

I. Register

  • Enables Farmers to self-register by Dailing *283#, Select the option for registering and follow through the instructions. Once done, the farmer will get an SMS confirming the registration.

II. Purchase Discount

  • Registered Farmers will access to discounted farm inputs from iProcure depots. I procure is a Safaricom business partner. I procure depots are located across the country.

III. Learn

  • Registered farmers will access information to educate them on farming best practices.

IV. Safaricom service

  • Farmers will conveniently have access to M-Pesa, Lipa na M-Pesa, M-Shwari and airtime purchase.
  • Loan application – Allows users to apply for loans
  • Loan limit check – Users can check how much they qualify for before applying for a loan
  • Loan balance – Check the balance of your existing loan
  • Loan repayment – This option shows users how much to repay and how to repay their loan
  • Loan redemption – Allows users to buy inputs using their loan vouchers

V. Swahili

  • The farmer can opt to choose Kiswahili language

How do I access the discounted farm inputs?

Dial *283# then select buy inputs. Select get discount code, which will be sent to you as an e-voucher through an SMS. Once you have obtained the e-voucher you will present it at the closest iProcure depot to access inputs at discounted prices.

What types of inputs are available at the depot?

  • Mineral supplements (livestock & dairy)
  • Feeds
  • Fertilizer
  • Agro-chemicals
  • Seeds
  • Veterinary products

How do I pay for the inputs?

Payment will be made through Lipa na M-Pesa.

How do I access Learning content?

Dail *283# and select learn. Learning content and messages are free.

What can I learn about?

I. Crop training: Maize, Potato, Tomato and Cabbage.

  • Learn how to increase you yield with best practices.
  • Learn about safe and proper use of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.

II. Dairy farming – Learn how to reduce costs and increase milk production by using best practices in:

  • Health management
  • Breeding
  • Feeding and Feed production
  • Milk handling”
  • Housing
  • Record keeping

What do I do if the service is not working?

Call the Safaricom customer service number 100. Calling 100 is free.

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