Digitalizing Conservation Agriculture

NCCK Digitalizing Conservation Agriculture

The NCCK is set to digitalize agricultural practices in Tharaka Nithi county through the distribution of 90 smartphones to Conservation Agriculture Lead Farmers drawn from Mukothima ward, Nkondi ward, Gatunga ward, Marimanti ward and Gatunga ward of Tharaka Nithi County.

With support from the Canadian Food Grains Bank through the United Church of Canada, the NCCK is building the food security of more than 4,000 households in Tharaka Nithi County through promotion of Conservation Agriculture. The trainings are delivered by the Lead Farmers, each of whom leads and capacity builds a group of 25 – 30 farmers.

Equipping the Lead Farmers with smartphones will enable them access relevant information in real-time in addition to engaging with service providers, suppliers and customers. The smartphones will enhance the capacity of the Lead Farmers to train their groups by enabling them to take photographs and record videos of diseases, pests, and Conservation Agricultural practices.

Further, the Lead Farmers were trained to use the smartphones to maintain accurate and analysable data on farm inputs, varieties, yields, cost of production and sales. This will enable the livelihoods to make data-driven decisions.