App helps farmers cut out brokers, boost production

For a long time cartels had been a major stumbling block for Alfred Thuranira, a farmer in Meru County.

The hard question was how he would circumvent these brokers living off his sweat. He did not have to wait for a salvation for long as Zalisha, a mobile-based app, was born.

The app directly links farmers to buyers. Through the platform, farmers are also educated on good and modern agricultural practices.

This was godsend for Mr Thuranira, who had been under the mercies of middle men, robbing him of the fruits of his labour by offering him rock bottom prices.

“The brokers are now a thing of the past. I have been able to eliminate them through this system,” says Mr Thuranira in an interview with Enterprise, adding that he now directly sells his produce to buyers.

The platform is a product of FINETEK Technologies (K) Ltd, a startup software company that is in cubated in the Chandaria Business Incubation Centre at the Kenyatta University Main Campus.

Mr Thuranira says he has also been able to improve his produce from 900 fruits of avocado per tree to 1,100, courtesy of the online information that he gets on the Zalisha platform.

FINETEK Technologies is composed of a group of software developers who desire to transform the way farming is done in Kenya through the use of technology and smart digital applications.

The project, which was founded on May 2017, has six founders and developers – Steve Momanyi, Vincent Tirgei, Elisha Misoi, Martin Kamau, Vincent Omondi and Bedan Kamau.

They are currently working with about 500 farmers but they are expecting the number to rise as more people get to know about the benefits accruing from using the app.

“Zalisha offers predictive farming depending on agro ecology to farmers, by providing accurate weather and climate analytics as well as customised information on crops depending on their farm locations,” says Mr Momanyi, the director of the initiative.

“The platform also provides a marketplace for farmers to sell their produce as well as get services.”

Zalisha also seeks to help farmers get accurate and consistent weather information on the present and future, give advice on crops to be planted, the timing, the right farming procedures and how to combat crop pests.

In addition, the platform advises farmers on the best time for harvesting and how to do it properly in order to gain maximum yield. The lessons are offered through video tutorials or quick notes.

A user can add their farms to the platform catalogue, depending on their locations. The system can then automatically suggests to them crops that can do well in the areas they are located.

The app monitors the farm’s activities and provide advise accordingly.

Mr Thuranira says he gets up to date information on profitable crops, how they can be planted, and the best agricultural practices.

“The platform can effectively manage planting, tendering and harvesting in for farmers to gain maximum yield,” Mr Momanyi says.

Zalisha also connect farmers directly to the local consumer market. This enables independent farmers and Saccos to sell their produce easily. Buyers are also able to contact farmers easily.

Farm input resellers can also get in touch with farmers without having to scout physically for the market.

The app also provides a forum for one to ask and post questions related to their farming practices and provide a communication channel for farmers through formation of farmers groups.