- Nakuru County has partnered with Digital Green Foundation to expand digital agricultural advisory services.
- FarmerChat will provide women and young people with farming advice and market-driven agricultural information.
- IFPRI will conduct a study to assess the platform’s impact on farming practices and productivity.
Farmers in Nakuru County are set to gain easier access to agricultural information and expert advice following a new partnership between the county government and Digital Green Foundation.
The collaboration seeks to improve farming practices by expanding the use of digital advisory services, with a focus on climate-smart agriculture, farmer engagement and better production methods.
At the centre of the initiative is FarmerChat, a digital platform that will be incorporated into existing agricultural programmes targeting women and young people. It will allow them to access timely farming advice, make informed decisions and embrace market-driven agricultural practices.
The partnership will also introduce a research component led by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The institute will assess the effectiveness of the digital intervention through a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT).
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The evaluation will involve farmer interviews, surveys, group discussions and field observations. These will establish how the technology is influencing farming activities and identify areas that require improvement.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Leonard Bor said the initiative would help address challenges farmers face in accessing reliable agricultural information.
Bor said the integration of digital solutions into existing programmes would widen the participation of women and youth. He added that it would also encourage farmers to adopt practices that can withstand changing weather patterns and respond to market demands.
He further said findings from the initiative would guide the county in determining the effectiveness of digital extension services. They would also help in developing better strategies to boost farm productivity, strengthen climate resilience and improve household earnings.
The partnership is part of Nakuru County’s efforts to modernise agricultural extension services. By adopting technology-driven approaches, the county aims to make farming knowledge and support more accessible to local farmers.
By Lizzy Aluga
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