Innovators come up with technologies to curb farmers’ woes

One of the innovators groups demonstrates to farmers how a groundnut extraction machines works during 13th inter region economic network trade and cultural fair event held at Bukura primary school, in Butere Sub county. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Young innovators from counties in western Kenya have developed new farming technologies which they will showcase at a regional trade expo.

At least 14 groups from counties that form the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) have come up with solutions to food insecurity in their respective counties that will be unveiled before development partners, investors, technocrats and farmers during the expo later this month.

The groups consist of between three to five innovators who underwent a six–month mentorship programme under the Smart Food Security Solutions Initiative.

The programme, sponsored by Inter Region Economic Network (Iren) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, saw the trainees learn critical skills and knowledge necessary in eliminating food insecurity within the bloc.

Learners were asked to identify the challenge in their county, conceptualise a viable solution, work as a team to actualise it and develop a prototype during the training duration.

Among solutions developed by the groups include pest control, cereals driers, tomato processor and storage units to prevent post-harvest losses.

They have also come up with a solar powered water pump, a weeding machine that doubles up as a grain processor, an improved knapsack sprayer and a machine that manufactures fertiliser from egg shells.

Others include a solar powered poultry hatchery and a portable dairy feed maker.

Some digital platform initiatives include Mfugo Bora, Mkulima Voice and Mfood to link various actors along the agribusiness value chain.

Participants are drawn from Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia and Vihiga.

“The groups were clustered in county solution hubs with each one of the 14 tasked to come up with technologies and innovations relevant to their immediate food security challenges,” said Iren Team leader James Shikwati.

He said the Trade Expo will feature key solutions developed by the 14 hubs.

According to Shikwati, the innovators will showcase and pitch their innovations to development partners, government, educational institutions, for-profit organisations, farmer associations, trader associations and investors.

“The innovations are critical to food security and will be used by farmers and enterprises in agribusiness value chain,” said the official.

One of the outfit’s goals is to enhance food security through coordinated agricultural strategies and sharing of human resources.  


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