Farmers have been urged adopt modern technologies to improve their yields.
One of the technologies that could help farmers is a phone-based app for weather forecasting that has been developed by Yara East Africa.
Yara country director William Ng’eno said the use of technology and certified fertilisers will help farmers to increase their return on investment and boost local economies.
The Yara Farm Weather App enables farmers to know weather patterns within a radius of four kilometres.
“We developed this app to help farmers manage their calendar because of erratic weather, which has been caused by climate change. It’s 80 per cent accurate. Since most farmers rely on rain, this app will help them know when to plant, instead of doing guesswork, which is a risk,” Ng’eno said.
The organisation also produces Yara Fertiliser, which Ng’eno said has many nutrients but is without market peer.
“We have fertilisers for specific crops and regions. We do soil analyses, for example in Western, to establish the right fertiliser to be used in the area. This helps farmers to get maximum yields.”
Recently, a team from Yara met Agriculture executives and officials from six Nyanza and Rift Valley counties. Farmers and agro vet owners also attended the forum in Kisii town.
The Agriculture executives included Valentine Ogongo (Migori), Esman Onsarigo (Kisii), Aguko Juma (Homa Bay) and Peris Mong’are (Nyamira). Representatives from Kericho and Bomet counties also attended.
“Agriculture is a fully devolved function and this technology and improved fertilisers will help us boost food security,” Onsarigo said, urging farmers to buy farm inputs from certified outlets.
Ogongo said new technologies are a shot in the arm for farmers and they are ready to harness them for better incomes.
“Having fertilisers for specific regions and crops is the way to go. In Migori, we are already doing soil testing and advising farmers accordingly. Interests of smallholder farmers should be safeguarded,” he said.
(Edited by F'Orieny)
