Companies

OLX signs 15 per cent fertiliser discount deal for potato farmers

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OLX Kenya Country Manager Peter Ndiang'ui. PHOTO | FILE

Online classifieds company OLX has signed a deal with Mavuno Fertilisers that will see farmers buy the input at a 15 per cent discount.

OLX country manager Peter Ndiang’ui on Tuesday said the new deal would enable potato farmers who sell their products via the platform to order for fertiliser directly from Mavuno’s national depot.

“Farmers have a challenge accessing fertiliser at an affordable price because the distribution infrastructure is not only inefficient but also fragmented and to some extent non-existent. Farmers now have a one-stop facility where they will order directly from the manufacturer and have the same delivered to them on the same day,” he said.

The same lorries that collect potatoes for sale on the platform will deliver fertiliser at no extra cost, thereby helping farmers cut on their expenses.

“OLX will continue registering more farmers onto the platform where Mavuno-farmer deals will be struck online,” Mr Ndiang’ui said.

Two months ago, OLX which offers for sale on its platform a wide range of goods including electronics and vehicles, ventured into fresh farm produce sales on a new platform intended to unlock a new revenue line by linking farmers to institutions, individual traders as well as to fresh farm produce processors.

The two-month old platform has since registered 9,000 farmers currently selling from the comfort of their farms. Delivery lorries move round collecting the produce, while payments are made on mobile money platforms.

OLX also announced the launch of an SMS-based platform, *887#,  enabling farmers without smartphones to transact business. The same platform also allows farmers to order for fertiliser among other farm inputs.