Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru has unveiled a mobile app that will enable farmers to access timely agricultural information towards improving agricultural productivity and promoting climate-resilient farming. The new ‘Farmer-Chat’ application will enable farmers to obtain weather updates, crop advisories, and real-time agricultural information directly through their mobile phones, bringing extension services closer to them.
According to Kenya News Agency, County Chief Officer for Agriculture, Eng. Margaret Kinyanjui, stated that the platform will allow farmers to access detailed information on crop diseases, pests, soil management, and other farming challenges, providing guidance on appropriate interventions. The platform, launched in partnership with CARE Kenya and Digital Green, will also advise on crops suitable for a farmer’s particular location, aiding informed decision-making based on local environmental conditions.
Engineer Kinyanjui emphasized that the ‘Farmer-Chat’ app will complement traditional agricultural extension services by providing farmers with reliable information whenever they need it. ‘The mobile app is an important addition to our agricultural extension system because it gives farmers an opportunity to access reliable information without having to wait for an extension officer to visit their farms,’ she noted.
The integration of digital technology with existing extension services, as pointed out by the Chief Officer, is expected to enable Governor Susan Kihika’s Administration to reach more farmers, address emerging challenges posed by climate change more rapidly, and assist them in making informed decisions that enhance productivity and incomes. Engineer Kinyanjui also stressed the county’s dedication to strengthening physical extension services, ensuring that digital tools complement rather than replace direct engagement between farmers and agricultural officers.
The initiative is aligned with the Nakuru County Agroecology Framework, which focuses on promoting soil health, climate-smart agriculture, and increased food production. The ‘Farmer-Chat’ application is anticipated to bolster farmers’ capacity to tackle emerging agricultural challenges by providing information on crop diseases, pests, weather conditions, and recommended farming practices through an accessible digital platform.
The app, developed by Digital Green, is an artificial-intelligence-powered agricultural advisory platform that provides timely, localized, and practical information. Farmers can interact with the application via text, voice, or photographs, making it accessible to users with varying literacy and digital experience levels. The system processes information using agricultural knowledge, local conditions, and weather data to offer guidance relevant to the farmer’s circumstances.
The platform’s features include multilingual and voice-based interactions, overcoming language and literacy barriers that sometimes limit farmers’ access to conventional agricultural information. ‘FarmerChat’ is designed to work alongside traditional agricultural extension systems rather than replace them, allowing extension officers to focus on cases requiring specialized technical advice or physical farm visits.
CARE Kenya’s involvement in the initiative brings technical and development expertise to Nakuru’s digital agriculture agenda. As part of the global CARE confederation, CARE Kenya addresses poverty, inequality, and strengthens resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. The partnership in the FarmerChat initiative complements Nakuru’s efforts to enhance agricultural extension and improve farmers’ access to practical information. Digital Green, an international development organization, uses digital technology, artificial intelligence, data, and locally generated knowledge to strengthen agricultural and rural development systems, working with governments and communities to make agricultural knowledge more accessible to smallholder farmers.
Engineer Kinyanjui highlighted that the ‘FarmerChat platform’ will help Nakuru County farmers reduce reliance on guesswork when making vital farm decisions. For instance, a farmer whose crops develop unusual symptoms could use the application for preliminary guidance on possible causes and recommended interventions. Additionally, farmers preparing for a planting season could utilize the platform to obtain information on suitable crops, weather conditions, and recommended production practices, potentially enhancing planning and productivity.
Access to timely weather information is crucial as farmers deal with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, supporting decisions on planting, irrigation, crop protection, and other farm operations while aiding adaptation to climate-related risks. The digital advisory service is also expected to alleviate pressure on conventional extension systems by providing farmers with information at any time, particularly in areas where extension officers serve large numbers of farmers.
Agriculture is a key economic activity and source of livelihood in Nakuru County, with farmers engaged in crop production, livestock keeping, fisheries, horticulture, and floriculture. The county produces major food crops, including maize, beans, Irish potatoes, and wheat, alongside fruits and vegetables, with dairy farming and other livestock enterprises being vital components of the agricultural economy.
The rollout of FarmerChat is a step forward in the Nakuru County Government’s efforts to modernize agricultural extension, providing individual farmers with direct access to agricultural information via their mobile phones. This initiative supports the Nakuru County Agroecology Policy and its implementation framework, promoting sustainable and climate-resilient food systems through practices that improve soil health, conserve natural resources, strengthen biodiversity, and help farmers adapt to climate change.
The County Government of Nakuru reaffirms its commitment to working with development partners, agricultural experts, and farmers to expand access to modern technologies as part of Governor Susan Kihika’s agenda to transform agriculture, empower farmers, strengthen food security, and improve livelihoods across the county.
