The Taita Taveta County's agriculture department is set to introduce tractor services under the pay-as-you-go system.
In a partnership with Hello Tractor, a digital tractor app, farmers will be able to book tractor services on their phones.
County Agriculture CEC Erickson Kyongo says the mechanization services will be accessed across the county for different value chains under the climate-smart agriculture model.
The system, he said, aims at promoting conservation agriculture, thus increasing food productivity amid the effects of climate change.
Kyongo said the plan will incorporate farmers with tractors to enable them to identify areas with high demand and make extra income.
"Just like online taxi service, farmers will be able to track, book and access tractor services at a click of a button. Climate Smart Agriculture is key for improved productivity," Kyongo said during a meeting with Hello Tractor officials on Tuesday.
He said the digital tractor operating company will develop a hub in Taita Taveta County, where farmers with the 'Hello Tractor' app will be accessing the services.
Kyongo said:
“The department is also planning to service all broken tractors that a lying idle in different sub-counties ahead of the next planting season.”
The executive further asked farmers to embrace the deep tillage farming technology, noting that it is a suitable way of boosting production.
The new tractor booking system is set to help hundreds of small-scale farmers in the region who mainly use manual methods to produce food.
A recent farmer profiling exercise revealed that some 57,000 households in the county rely on agriculture for living.
The majority have been unable to access mechanized agricultural services hence hindering food production.
Kyongo they are roping in more investors in concerted efforts to offer requisite support that will promote farmers’ livelihoods through wealth creation.
