AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY IN KENYA
Agritechnology is the application of technology to agriculture.
Agritechnology encompasses a wide range of technologies, including automation, robotics, precision agriculture, biotechnology and artificial intelligence. It is used to improve efficiency, increase yields, reduce costs and boost sustainability in agriculture. Technology has revolutionized agriculture in kenya by making it more efficient, productive and sustainable.
Drone spraying insecticides on crops
A tractor spraying fertilizers on crops
Center pivot irrigation machine spraying fertilizer
Agritech has been around in Kenya for a while, but it really started to take off in the early 2010s. This was due to a number of factors, including:
- The increasing availability of smartphones and the internet in rural Kenya.
- The growing awareness of the potential of technology to improve agricultural productivity and efficiency.
- The emergence of a number of innovative agritech startups.
One of the first agritech startups in Kenya was iProcure, which was founded in 2012. iProcure is a mobile platform that connects farmers to suppliers of farm inputs, such as seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides. Another early agritech startup was Twiga Foods, which was founded in 2014. Twiga Foods is an e-commerce platform that connects farmers directly to consumers, bypassing traditional middlemen.
In recent years, there has been a surge of investment in agritech startups in Kenya. In 2022, Kenyan agritech startups raised a total of $115 million, according to Disrupt Africa. This is more than double the amount raised in 2021.
Some of the most notable agritech startups in Kenya today include:
- Apollo Agriculture
- FarmWorks
- iProcure
- Twiga Foods
- SunCulture
- Tulaa
These startups are using a variety of technologies to improve agriculture in Kenya, including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Big data
- Mobile technology
- Precision agriculture
- Renewable energy
Agritech is still a relatively new industry in Kenya, but it has the potential to revolutionize the country's agricultural sector. By using technology to improve productivity and efficiency, agritech can help Kenya to achieve food security and create jobs.
The introduction of agritech has brought about many benefits for the agricultural sector, but it has also introduced some challenges. These challenges include:
- Lack of awareness and adoption: Many farmers are not aware of the benefits of agritech or are hesitant to adopt new technologies. This can be due to a lack of access to information, concerns about cost, or a fear of change.
- High cost of technology: Agritech solutions can be expensive, especially for smallholder farmers. This can make it difficult for farmers to access the technologies they need to improve their productivity and profitability.
- Limited access to infrastructure: Many farmers in developing countries lack access to reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and other infrastructure needed to use agritech solutions.
- Digital divide: There is a digital divide between rural and urban areas, with farmers in rural areas less likely to have access to computers, smartphones, and the internet. This can make it difficult for them to use agritech solutions.
- Lack of training and support: Many farmers need training on how to use agritech solutions effectively. They also need access to support services in case they have problems with the technology.
- Job displacement: As agritech becomes more widespread, some manual jobs in the agricultural sector may be displaced. This could lead to social and economic challenges for rural communities.