President William Ruto has attributed the success of Kenya's subsidised fertiliser programme to the government's digital farmer registration platform. The platform, which was launched by his administration, has grown from 400,000 farmers to 8.9 million registered farmers. This growth has enabled the government to have a clearer picture of the agricultural sector. Ruto stated that the registration process has helped the government achieve several goals, including identifying the number of farmers in the country.
The digital platform has transformed access to subsidised fertiliser by ensuring that only registered farmers with valid government vouchers can purchase the commodity. Previously, anybody with money could walk into a National Cereals and Produce Board outlet and purchase fertiliser, creating room for middlemen to buy the commodity and resell it at a profit. Ruto noted that some people, even those without farms, would buy fertiliser and sell it to farmers at a higher price.
The voucher system now identifies the farmer, the size of the farm, and the amount of fertiliser they qualify to purchase. This has eliminated cartels that were interfering with fertiliser distribution. Ruto stated that the system has helped the government plan agricultural financing and determine the number of farmers involved in different value chains, including tea and maize.
The digital farmer registration platform has also helped the government to plan and implement agricultural programmes more effectively. With the data from the platform, the government can now identify areas of high agricultural potential and provide targeted support to farmers. This has improved the overall efficiency of agricultural programmes and enhanced food security in the country.
According to Ruto, the government is committed to continuing the implementation of the digital farmer registration platform to ensure that all farmers in Kenya are registered and have access to subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural support services. The government has also encouraged farmers to register on the platform to benefit from the programme.
The success of the digital farmer registration platform has been hailed as a major achievement by the government. The platform has not only improved access to subsidised fertiliser but also enhanced transparency and accountability in the agricultural sector. The government has stated that it will continue to invest in digital technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its programmes.
The digital farmer registration platform is part of the government's efforts to enhance food security and support small-scale farmers in Kenya. The government has implemented several programmes to support farmers, including the provision of subsidised fertiliser, seeds, and other agricultural inputs. The digital platform has played a critical role in ensuring that these programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.
Key points
- The digital farmer registration platform has grown to 8.9 million farmers, eliminating cartels that interfered with subsidised fertiliser distribution.
- The platform has transformed access to subsidised fertiliser by ensuring that only registered farmers with valid government vouchers can purchase the commodity.
- The government plans to continue implementing the digital farmer registration platform to ensure that all farmers in Kenya are registered and have access to subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural support services.
