Kiambu Farmers Get Digital Push as Safaricom Unveils New Ways to Grow Farm Businesses

Farmers in Githunguri, Kiambu County, have been urged to embrace digital technology and financial solutions to improve productivity, strengthen their businesses and access wider markets.

The call was made during Safaricom’s Safire Connect Forum held in Githunguri, bringing together farmers, agripreneurs, agricultural experts and industry partners to discuss practical ways of improving agricultural enterprises.

The forum focused on three key areas: Grow, Protect and Connect, aimed at helping farmers improve productivity, strengthen their financial management and make use of technology in their businesses.

Speaking during the forum, Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi said technology can help farmers access information, financial services and tools needed to make better decisions.

Improving Yields

“Farmers are at the heart of Kenya’s economy, and as their needs evolve, so must the solutions available to them,” Ali-Kimanthi said.

Under the Grow pillar, farmers were taken through ways of improving yields, accessing quality inputs and adopting better farming practices.

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Agricultural experts also shared information on farm management and other measures that could improve productivity across the agricultural value chain.

This Protect pillar focused on the financial management of farming enterprises, with discussions covering cash-flow management, savings, responsible borrowing and digital financial services.

Personal And Business Funds

Farmers were also advised to separate personal and business finances to help them plan better and assess the performance of their enterprises.

The Connect pillar looked at how digital technology and artificial intelligence are used in agriculture and small businesses.

Participants were shown how online resources can improve access to information, help with decision-making, boost productivity, and link farmers to potential markets.

The forum also highlighted digital marketing as a tool farmers and small businesses can use to reach new customers and increase their visibility.

Agricultural information

Through its DigiFarm platform, Safaricom provides farmers with access to agricultural information, farm inputs and financing services intended to support decision-making and farm management.

Githunguri has a significant agricultural economy, with dairy farming playing a major role in supporting household incomes.

The area’s dairy value chain is anchored by the Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society, which produces Fresha dairy products.

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Farmers in the area also engage in coffee, tea and horticulture, alongside crops such as maize, beans, potatoes and leafy vegetables.

The Githunguri forum forms part of Safaricom’s wider efforts to bring digital and financial solutions closer to farmers and businesses across Kenya.

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Farmers in Githunguri, Kiambu County during the Safaricom event
PHOTO/File