NEW SMS TECHNOLOGY CAUSING RIPPLES IN WESTERN KENYA

Farmers can now access timely information on farming through a new and friendly SMS service. This novel idea is helping farmers get and use information on best practices on farming through their mobile phones. 
It is also socializing them on the benefits of technology use in agriculture. 
Thus, the farmer is educated on how to increase their crop yields thereby contributing to food security among the households. 

Who is behind this?

This innovation is courtesy of The Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) project Objective 5 in collaboration with the African Soil Health Consortium of CABI and a private company, Fibrelink Communications Ltd. 
“This idea is going to greatly enhance the level of farming in the country,” says Dr. Peter Okoth of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), who mooted the idea in 2008. It is currently being tested in Gem and Ugenya constituencies of Siaya county where 2000 farmers have registered to use the service.

Dr. George Oduor of CABI who is partly funding the project says that the innovation has come at the right time when the continent needs it most and has equipped itself for the electronic technology era and nearly every urban and rural household holds a mobile phone in Kenya. “This is the easiest way to reach the rural farmers,” he adds.

How?

The messages sent to the farmers are written such that they contain content that the farmers need when they are sent. The strategy ensures that the farmer is not overloaded with messages and he/she easily reads and understands it. The messages coincide with the appropriate timing of the farming activity e.g. planting, weeding and harvesting. 

What you need

• A mobile phone
• Send a request with the words Agriculture or Agric to the number 5152 to register.
• You will be guided through the simple process of registration. 
• Thereafter, you will be receiving periodic messages that will advise you on the required farming activity.
•  Registration is ksh 40. Each alert costs ksh 10.

Some of the messages sent

•  The rains are here and soil erosion is a threat. If your land has a slope > 8%, dig a 2.5x2ft cutoff drain across, at the crest and mid-slope to check runoff.
• If your maize crop is about 3 weeks from planting time it is time to weed your field. Weeds compete with plants for water and nutrients, affecting their growth.
• Weeding of maize should be completed by now. After this, top-dress with CAN or UREA fertilizers. Use one 50 kg bag/ acre of UREA or two 50 kg bags of CAN/acre.
• The second weeding of maize is due in two weeks’ time. This is also the time to top-dress with CAN or UREA fertilizers. One 50kg bag of UREA/acre or two 50kg CAN
• We recommend strongly that you get your soils analyzed. If pH is below 5.0, please use the CAN fertilizers for topdressing.
• One gets best yields when they combine mineral fertilizers from the shop with animal manure or vegetative compost. Dig a hole to store all vegetable wastes.
• Maize and Beans are prone to diseases and pests that contribute to significant yield losses. Start monitoring your crop early to manage the pests and diseases.

 

A farmer using this new SMS technology

  

I think this is one technology that should be replicated in all over the country and beyond. It is affordable and as you have seen, the benefits are many. If we can produce enough (and surplus) food, then we will be taking great strides in economic independence.

Have a productive day!