Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru and Enigma Four Agritech company have rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) data-driven agricultural system aimed at providing real-time best farming practices to small-scale farmers in the region. The system helps them build thriving and sustainable agricultural-related livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, the system, dubbed ‘AgriVuma platform,’ combines generative AI with localised agricultural insights, delivering information on topics such as weather patterns, soil health, market trends, and best practices in agriculture, ensuring that farmers are always ahead of the curve. Agriculture Chief Officer Newton Mwaura said the platform will allow farmers to access verifiable information on common questions to guide their decisions, such as what to plant, when to plant, and weather advisories, among others.
Mwaura spoke during a meeting between technical officers from the Directorates of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services and representatives of the Agritech company to map out workflows, challenges, and gaps to help develop the AgriVuma platform. He explained that the platform had been designed to be used by extension officers to collect real-time farm and farmer data, which is then processed into actionable recommendations to enhance farmer productivity.
The platform transforms collected data into timely and actionable insights, including recommendations on crop management, livestock health and market trends, and delivers the data-backed insights and personalised support to farmers, helping them optimise their practices. ‘In a country where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, the challenges facing smallholder farmers, such as limited access to inputs, reliable information, and fair markets, are enormous,’ lamented the chief officer.
Mwaura, who was flanked by his Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services counterpart Dr. Michael Cheruiyot and Enigma Four Chief Executive Officer Brian Oyugi, assured that the challenges could be overcome and that technology was key to enabling farmers to not only feed their families but also build thriving, sustainable livelihoods. The County official underscored the initiative’s goal to enhance yields and quality through prompt data analysis and interventions, saying that bridging the gap between technology and traditional farming was crucial for the sector’s progress.
It is imperative for farmers to receive the necessary training to adapt to modern practices, as what may have worked in the past might not be effective today, and staying updated is key to success, added Mwaura. Mwaura was happy that the County had trained over 300 extension officers to build capacity that would ensure effective implementation of the new technologies in addition to the establishment of a dedicated Call Centre that he said was providing farmers with a direct line to seek guidance on the best agricultural practices.
Noting that agricultural data was often fragmented, making it difficult for farmers to make informed decisions, the chief officer said the initiative would address this fragmented data through a comprehensive enterprise data management solution. He explained that the extension officers would be shadowed by data coordinators who will be equipped with phones to collect real-time information, which in turn will be shared with the county so that higher-level decisions could be based on accurate and timely data, leading to more effective agricultural strategies, policies, and resource allocation.
The data collected will also help farmers predict their crop yields, distinguish between what they need for subsistence and what they can sell, and facilitate the aggregation of their produce for market distribution, added Mwaura. According to Enigma Four CEO Brian Oyugi, the platform will also benefit consumers by making them more aware of the food they eat through food traceability.
The CEO said by collecting data at every stage from farm to fork, the entire supply chain would be more transparent, allowing consumers to know exactly where their food was coming from and how it was produced. ‘We are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution, a time defined by the power of information and digital technology. Utilising this technology to harness big data in agriculture is not just an advantage but a necessity,’ added the CEO.
County Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services Chief Officer Dr. Michael Cheruiyot said the AI-powered platform will offer additional features, including soil testing, weather updates, and analysis of pest and disease infestations, adding that by leveraging the farmer’s location and mapping data, the platform could provide tailored recommendations, ensuring that interventions are both timely and effective. He assured that the AgriVuma platform had been designed with user-friendly interfaces that use simple language and intuitive icons where technology could be understood by both the young and old generations.
‘This kind of data-driven decision-making is the future of farming in Kenya, allowing farmers to maximise productivity and mitigate the impacts of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns,’ stated the Chief Officer. He said the collaboration with the Agritech company is set to harness the potential of data analytics and advanced technology to significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural practices across the County.
Dr. Cheruiyot said the technology will complement the efforts of over 300 extension workers in all 55 wards and enhance the Nakuru Call Centre, a digital extension tool, to help bridge the gaps in extension service delivery.