Farmers in Western Kenya have been urged to embrace technology, financial tools and modern agricultural practices to improve productivity and grow their farming businesses.
The call was made during the Safire Connect Forum hosted by Safaricom PLC at Golf Hotel in Kakamega, where farmers were taken through practical solutions to help them improve farm productivity, manage finances and use digital technology to expand their businesses.
The forum was organised around three key themes — Grow, Protect and Connect — providing farmers with an opportunity to interact with agricultural and financial experts while exploring solutions designed to support their enterprises at different stages of growth.
“Farmers are entrepreneurs and like any other business owners, they need access to the right information, financial tools, technology and markets to grow. Through Safire Connect, we are bringing these solutions closer to farmers while creating a platform where they can learn, ask questions and engage directly with experts. We want to see more farmers use technology not only to improve productivity, but also to manage their businesses better and unlock new opportunities,” said Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer, Safaricom PLC.
The Grow session focused on improving farm yields and helping farmers make better-informed decisions. Participants took part in an agripreneurship session, an agricultural panel discussion and an agronomy masterclass.
Agricultural experts, DigiFarm representatives, agrovet operators, farmers and Osho shared insights on farm planning, selection of inputs and adoption of better farming practices aimed at improving yields and increasing farm incomes.
The Protect session shifted focus to financial management and the need for farmers to safeguard their businesses against various risks.
Participants were taken through personal finance, responsible borrowing and business risk management. They were also introduced to solutions including Ziidi Trader, Bundle Ya Wakulima Insurance and Pochi la Biashara, while TransUnion provided guidance on responsible credit management.
The discussions emphasised the importance of managing cash flow, using credit responsibly and putting measures in place to cushion agricultural businesses against unexpected risks.
The Connect session explored the growing role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in improving productivity both on and off the farm.
Safaricom showcased solutions including OneApp and BYVM Mshauri, while farmers also learnt about digital devices and connectivity solutions that can support their businesses.
The forum gave farmers an opportunity to engage directly with solution providers and industry experts, enabling them to better understand how digital and financial services can be incorporated into their daily farming activities.
Through DigiFarm, farmers can access agricultural information, farm inputs, financing and other services designed to support their enterprises. The platform enables farmers to access information and services that can help them make better-informed decisions.
The forum also highlighted how digital technology is changing the way farmers operate, with digital tools increasingly being used to access agricultural information, communicate with customers, receive payments and manage businesses.
The Kakamega forum forms part of Safaricom’s efforts to take digital and financial solutions closer to farmers and businesses across the country, with the aim of supporting more productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
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