NCPB, Safaricom ink deal to empower farmers
Small-scale farmers in Kenya will start accessing post-harvest management services, thanks to a technology sharing partnership between National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and Safaricom.
The cereals body signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Safaricom’s DigiFarm Kenya Ltd to facilitate the smallholder benefit with crucial info on post-harvest management.
Under the deal, NCPB shall offer post-harvest management services to farmers present on the platform, while DigiFarm will connect the food agency to small-scale growers, who will in turn, access board services at prevailing rates.
“This MoU is aligned to the agriculture hub model that NCPB is required to establish under the reforms.
The hub shall provide a one-stop shop for farmers to obtain farm inputs, farm machinery services, information on crop and animal husbandry and quality management services among other services,” said Joseph Kimote NCPB managing director.
He added that the partnership will support the small-scale farmer in improving crop productivity, leading to better incomes as well as support the country in achieving the goals of the Food and Nutrition Security Pillar of the Big Four agenda.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said through the Digifarm platform, the telco wants to empower smallholder farmers across the country by giving them direct access to low-cost quality seeds and fertiliser, credit providers, mechanisation services and bulk purchasers of their produce.
“Our partnership with NCPB will provide farmers with post-harvest management services as well as access to the market which will enable them to sell quality produce at competitive prices,” he said of integrated mobile platform.
