Mobile App To Revolutionize Agricultural Extension In Laikipia
Updated on: Jan 24, 2021
Laikipia has unveiled a mobile phone application that allows farmers to access technical information on the palm of their hands , almost instantly.
The County Government of Laikipia in partnership with Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)developed the Eextension value chain App which will transform the way farmers practice agriculture.
It can be accessed through: https://kalro-cropslivestock.web.app/
The development of the mobile app was informed by a research that was conducted April last year by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in collaboration with ICT4Agriculture. From a sample size of 400 farmers, the study established that extension services did not reach most of them.
Since the county do not have enough extension officers, they had to find a solution for this existing gap and ensure that the service is available in digital space.
Earnings
The county will leverage on technology to provide the much needed advisory services to farmers to improve productivity and incomes for better quality life.
The mobile app will have a huge impact on agricultural sector as farmers will access expert advice on different aspect of their economic activities, KALRO officer Morris Gatheru said.
Farmers will be able to improve their production and increase their earnings since all the information needed to turn around their farming activities as well as market information will be available on the palm of their hand. For instance, a farmers planning to grow beans will be able to get information on the app about on-site selection, land preparation, pre-planning, beans varieties, planting, water management, soil fertility, maturity, harvesting and storage.
They will be advised on modern and smart farming practices. It has the benefit of ensuring a large number of farmers are able to access extension services digitally and with little effort.
Systems
The App is a major relief to the Government. About 40 percent of agriculture department staff are set for retirement in the next one-and a-half years and may not be able to reach the ratio of 1:400 recommended globally.
The savings on wages and operation costs for extension officers could go towards increasing irrigation technicians to support water for production.
Use of technology-based systems is a key plank of the Governor Ndiritu Muriithis strategy of growing the county economy from
Sh100 billion to Sh400 billion a year. The countys economy has been growing at an impressive rate over 8.8 percent.
E-extension is expected to bridge these gaps. The App will link up farmers to share relevant information that arises even if they are not in the same locality. Armed with experts opinion and advice, the farmers are expected to demand better prices for their farm produce
when selling.
In return they will become motivated and become more productive as there will be an increase in their earnings.
It will eliminate the middlemen who sometimes control the pricing leaving the farmers to earn little in their ventures. They will be
more informed which will ensure that they make decisions that elevate their life.
Extension services are changing, there is need to adopt technology and research to achieve better output, county officer in
charge of extension services Mr James Mung'ere says.
The App, he adds, will be a focal and reference point when seeking current, up to date information. Farmers will send queries on
technical matters that need interpretation, and get instant reply. This will solve many underlying problems in the sector.
Farmers sometimes complains of lack of timely advice on farming practices.
The app will also achieve the goal of ensuring that farmers livelihood is improved by connecting them with ready market for their produce. This will in turn increase their earnings and avail the presence of certain produce in a specific location.
According to Mr Mung'ere, there could be a farmer complaining for lack of market for his/her produce but on the other end someone is
looking for the same produce.
It creates a problem if both have no idea of the existence of one another. He notes that the app will eliminate this by linking farmers to
market.
The County Government of Laikipia in partnership with Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)developed the Eextension value chain App which will transform the way farmers practice agriculture.
It can be accessed through: https://kalro-cropslivestock.web.app/
The development of the mobile app was informed by a research that was conducted April last year by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in collaboration with ICT4Agriculture. From a sample size of 400 farmers, the study established that extension services did not reach most of them.
Since the county do not have enough extension officers, they had to find a solution for this existing gap and ensure that the service is available in digital space.
Earnings
The county will leverage on technology to provide the much needed advisory services to farmers to improve productivity and incomes for better quality life.
The mobile app will have a huge impact on agricultural sector as farmers will access expert advice on different aspect of their economic activities, KALRO officer Morris Gatheru said.
Farmers will be able to improve their production and increase their earnings since all the information needed to turn around their farming activities as well as market information will be available on the palm of their hand. For instance, a farmers planning to grow beans will be able to get information on the app about on-site selection, land preparation, pre-planning, beans varieties, planting, water management, soil fertility, maturity, harvesting and storage.
They will be advised on modern and smart farming practices. It has the benefit of ensuring a large number of farmers are able to access extension services digitally and with little effort.
Systems
The App is a major relief to the Government. About 40 percent of agriculture department staff are set for retirement in the next one-and a-half years and may not be able to reach the ratio of 1:400 recommended globally.
The savings on wages and operation costs for extension officers could go towards increasing irrigation technicians to support water for production.
Use of technology-based systems is a key plank of the Governor Ndiritu Muriithis strategy of growing the county economy from
Sh100 billion to Sh400 billion a year. The countys economy has been growing at an impressive rate over 8.8 percent.
E-extension is expected to bridge these gaps. The App will link up farmers to share relevant information that arises even if they are not in the same locality. Armed with experts opinion and advice, the farmers are expected to demand better prices for their farm produce
when selling.
In return they will become motivated and become more productive as there will be an increase in their earnings.
It will eliminate the middlemen who sometimes control the pricing leaving the farmers to earn little in their ventures. They will be
more informed which will ensure that they make decisions that elevate their life.
Extension services are changing, there is need to adopt technology and research to achieve better output, county officer in
charge of extension services Mr James Mung'ere says.
The App, he adds, will be a focal and reference point when seeking current, up to date information. Farmers will send queries on
technical matters that need interpretation, and get instant reply. This will solve many underlying problems in the sector.
Farmers sometimes complains of lack of timely advice on farming practices.
The app will also achieve the goal of ensuring that farmers livelihood is improved by connecting them with ready market for their produce. This will in turn increase their earnings and avail the presence of certain produce in a specific location.
According to Mr Mung'ere, there could be a farmer complaining for lack of market for his/her produce but on the other end someone is
looking for the same produce.
It creates a problem if both have no idea of the existence of one another. He notes that the app will eliminate this by linking farmers to
market.
