The County Government of Nakuru is urging farmers to tap into digital technologies to access information to improve efficiency and boost crop yields.
Consequently, County Chief Officer for ICT, E-Government, and Public Communications, Ms Catherine Changwony said with adoption of innovative digital tools, farmers will be able to enhance the ability to grow sufficient food.
Ms Changwony said communities are currently experiencing fallout from the climate change crisis resulting in drought and water crises, volatile weather, unstable food production and loss of livelihood.
The Chief Officer indicated that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services, has introduced innovative digital solutions aimed at empowering farmers, boosting productivity, and expanding market access.
“These advancements, achieved through collaborations with the National Government and non-governmental organizations, are transforming the agricultural sector. By integrating technology into agriculture, we are building a more resilient farming community and enhancing livelihoods across the board,” She elaborated.
She spoke during the Mkulima Digital Awards Ceremony that was held at the County headquarters in Nakuru.
The Chief Officer indicated that digital farmer services can help improve lives of farmers, support an ecosystem of agriculture tech actors and design digital services specifically for women and marginalized groups.
She called for adoption of more digital tools by farmers to address the challenges the global food system faces due to climate change.
Ms Changwony pointed out that uptake of technology is key to bridging Africa’s food deficit.
“The County Government is doing all it can to support Agri-techs and accelerate the scale of digital agriculture technologies to address the principal challenges faced by the agricultural system,” she noted.
Ms Changwony observed that digital tools offer the ability to gather real time data on weather patterns, soil moisture levels and vegetation health.
She stated that application of technology approach in agriculture not only empowers communities but also catalyzes a shift towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
The Chief Officer pointed out that digital literate farmers can easily access current market prices, weather forecasts, agricultural advice and financial services like mobile banking and loans.
A study conducted by Global System for Mobile Communications, a global association representing mobile operators found that farmers using digital services were able to increase their crop yields by up to 50 percent. They also saw a rise in incomes because they could sell their produce at better prices after gaining access to market prices.
According to the study, many farmers revealed that the simple act of learning to use the smart phone and accessing digital platforms had made a huge difference in their productivity.
In his remarks, Chief Officer for Livestock Development and Veterinary Services, Dr Michael Cheruiyot highlighted the county’s Artificial Insemination (AI) Subsidy Program and the benefits of the Nakuru Farmers Call Centre.
He urged farmers and stakeholders to work together to maximize the impact of these innovative initiatives.
Dr Cheruiyot expressed optimism that milk production in Nakuru is set to increase through a plan to provide subsidized artificial insemination services
The County Government’s plan targeting more than 200,000 farmers, is also aimed at improving beef animal breeds to boost meat production. The County currently produces an average of 318 million litres of milk annually with an estimated turnover of Kshs 14 billion
Dr Cheruiyot said the initiative to provide pedigree semen aims at giving dairy farmers a new improved breed that will increase milk production from the current seven litres to around 12 litres per cow per day, enabling farmers to earn more money from the sale of milk.
He indicated that with the cheap cost, they expect demand for the services to grow exponentially.
“We have procured dairy cows’, beef cattle, and dairy goats’ semen which we will sell at Sh800, down from the market price of Sh2,000. During the first phase of the project 23 cooperative societies will benefit from this program which is being carried out through public-private partnerships,” the Chief Officer disclosed.
Already Sh10 million has been budgeted for the service this year.
“The programme will help farmers increase their earnings. It is regrettable that farmers have not been able to optimize production due to poor breeds, but this is now set to be a thing of the past,” said the Chief Officer.
The county produces 25,000 to 30,000 litres of milk in a day.
Dr Cheruiyot added that through the initiative, the Department’s sub-county officers have been provided with semen, nitrogen tanks, and technical expertise to offer AI services to dairy farmers.
He said that the program is a game changer since it will ensure a thriving dairy and beef industry.
Dr Cheruiyot added the county will continue to have continuous capacity building training for the cooperatives to ensure success of the program.
He advised farmers to join the Nakuru County Cooperative Dairy Union as it brings together 15 giant and active cooperatives. The major aim of the Union, the Chief Officer noted, is to promote value addition and marketing for better prices.
“The ultimate goal of this programme is to ensure that farmers increase their milk and meat production and get more value from it so that they can uplift their living standards,” he said.
The initiative, he said, will significantly reduce the cost of AI services, while at the same time improving the quality of the breeds the farmers get; which in turn will translate into increased milk production when the calves mature to start milk production.
Dr Cheruiyot asked farmers to adopt zero grazing as a way of controlling pests and diseases.
He reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of the economy and a crucial driver of livelihoods, not only in Nakuru County but across the nation.
“With these digital advancements, the future of agriculture in Nakuru County looks promising. By embracing modern solutions, the county is setting a national standard for agricultural innovation and paving the way for prosperity among its farmers,” Dr Cheruiyot observed.
By Jane Ngugi
