Burnt Forest farmer ushers in a new era of post-harvest management

From left: Stephen Cheluget, Kuona Mbele agriHUB Manager Peter Kiprop and agriBORA CEO Kizito Odhiambo at the Kuona Mbele agriHUB in Burnt Forest, Uasin Gishu County. [Paul Mbugua, Standard] In the misty highlands of Burnt Forest, a quiet revolution is sprouting among maize farmers-led not by policymakers or institutions, but by one of their own. Stephen Cheluget, a long-time maize farmer and member of the Kuona Mbele Cooperative Society, has become a trailblazer in transforming how harvests are stored, valued, and ultimately sold. For years, Cheluget wrestled with the same frustrations faced by countless smallholder farmers across Kenya-harvests devoured by rats, infested by weevils, or spoilt by rains before reaching the market. In the end, many were forced to sell their grain in a rush, accepting low prices just to avoid further losses. "We work so hard from planting to harvesting, only for a big part of it to rot away in storage," he says, pausing beside his now-thriving maize field. "It used to feel like we were growing food just to feed pests." That cycle was broken last December when Cheluget turned to agriGHALA, a structured grain storage and financing solution powered by local agri-fintech firm agriBORA. Unlike traditional stores, agriGHALA offers farmers access to secure, certified warehouses-free from pests, moisture, and loss. But it was the warehouse receipt system that changed everything for Cheluget. Under this system, farmers receive a warehouse receipt-a formal document proving the type and quantity of grain stored. This receipt acts like a financial asset. With it, Cheluget was able to access a loan amounting to half the value of his stored maize, enabling him to buy fertiliser and prepare for the new season without selling his grain prematurely. "It was the first time I stored maize and used it to get money, instead of just selling," he says. "That receipt was like my bank card." The results are visible. Cheluget's crop is now ahead of schedule-lush, well-fed, and nearing the top-dressing stage. His preparation paid off, thanks to early access to inputs. This time, he's farming without panic. Beyond financial access, agriGHALA also gives farmers real-time market information via mobile phone and even organises pick-up of grain from the farm-cutting out transport hassles and delays. For Cheluget and others in the cooperative, the system offers both control and peace of mind. "In the past, we'd sell immediately after harvest because we feared losses," he explains. "Now we can store, monitor prices, and sell when it makes sense." His success has sparked curiosity among fellow farmers. Two of his friends-Shedrack and Edward-have since joined the system, encouraged by Cheluget's experience. Word is spreading across Burnt Forest that safe storage and smarter selling are not just ideas-they're possible. The shift comes at a critical time when post-harvest losses in Kenya remain alarmingly high, costing farmers up to 30 per cent of their yield. Structured systems like agriGHALA are helping to plug that hole, one farmer at a time. For Cheluget, the journey has turned from one of survival to strategy. He now plans to continue using the warehouse model and urges others to consider it. "We've been losing too much for too long," he says firmly. "This maize is our sweat. If there's a way to protect it and still get money when we need it, why not use it?" Stephen Cheluget is no longer just a maize farmer-he is a messenger of what's possible when technology, finance, and storage are aligned with farmers' needs. His story is a glimpse into a more resilient, informed, and empowered future for Kenya's smallholders.

Burnt Forest farmer ushers in a new era of post-harvest management

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Burnt Forest farmer ushers in a new era of post-harvest management

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