M-SHAMBA PRESENTATION REPORT · 2013. 9. 30. · support system An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) that will target illiterate farmers is currently under development The m-shamba

M-SHAMBA PRESENTATION REPORT

Making IT happen in the field of Agriculture transforms the concept of Africa in Africa

from a development activity to a business

Spring Break Kenya: The community programs have increased the scalability capacity

for the program in rural areas through community camping

National Irrigation Board: The National board has promoted technology absorption by

many farmers and enhanced m-shamba’s application among farmers in rice irrigation

schemes

Safaricom Ltd.: The Kenyan mobile communications giant has introduced the m-shamba

platform as an app to its 16 million customers thus increasing its reach

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology: The University first incubated

the innovation in its early days of conception and supported the concept

World Renew: Promoting m-shamba use for adoption of sustainable livelihoods among

their beneficiaries within the Republic of Kenya

CONTENTS

How it started 2

How it Works 2

Who it targets 3

Who it has Im-

pacted On

3

Its Potential in

Greenhouse farm-

4

Awards 4

Contact Infor-

mation

4

PARTNERSHIPS

P A G E 2

M-Shamba begun as a University project at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricul-

ture and Technology

The innovation team was inspired by two significant factors: The crops planted

by most small holder farmers were the ones introduced by missionaries as most

information were available for these particular crops only. The small holder

farmers also experienced difficulties that hindered farming as crop diseases,

methods of farming, and farming tools utilized were very limited and archaic

The concept was meant to improve information access to small holder farmers

and encourage diversification and crop rotation. Most importantly, the concept

sought to increase the number of small holder farmers among the youth in order

to improve food production. A technology solution was the best option to in-

crease the quantity and quality of farm produce in Kenya.

The concept sought to utilize a mobile app to provide first hand information for

farmers since mobile phone usage had reached an all time high of 12 million by

2011. The team of scientists led by Calvince Okello developed m-shamba

platform beginning with an app for Android phones. Other additions to the

platform later included the sms system. m-shamba is currently working on USSD

and IVR.

The m-shamba platform uses mobile phone tools which include: -A cross platform mobile app that targets both smart phones and

low end phones, - An SMS component that is used by all phones to disseminate less bulky information, and -USSD platform as a

support system An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) that will target illiterate farmers is currently under development

The m-shamba platform works by providing, farmers with access to mobile phones, an opportunity to obtain information on the

various crops they are dealing with directly through their phones. The information obtained includes crop diseases, best practices

in farming, market sources and opportunities, and extension services that enables monitoring of the produce as well.

A farmer with an Android phone has to download the m-shamba app from Safaricom Ltd. app store and install into the phone.

Once activated, the farmer will be able to get notifications on request after the welcome message. The farmer will then be able to

generate information on what he/ she is farming through links in the app.

A farmer with an ordinary phone will also be able to subscribe to the mes-

sage service and be able to use USSD messages to prompt information on

the mobile handset.

The information obtained is directly sourced from research institutions and

University research departments and is accurate and updated. The infor-

mation can be utilized to improve farming. A farmer can also use the infor-

mation obtained to seek advice from extension officers without necessarily

visiting farms or incurring additional costs.

HOW IT WORKS

HOW IT STARTED

P R E S E N T A T I O N R E P O R T

WHOM IT HAS IMPACTED ON

P A G E 2

WHOM IT TARGETS

P A G E 3

The implementation begun with 3,000 farmers in Bunyala, Ahero, West Kano, and Mwea rice Irrigation schemes.

The Outcome of technology up-take in the target areas: 3000 farmers with an average of 8 members per family have been able to

improve rice production by 150% through the use of technology enhanced farming methods, new farming practices. In the rice farm-

ing process, the SRI (system rice intensification) which enables farmers to utilize small amounts of water to irrigate the land. This

enabled them to reduce the volume of water used for farming and limit inaccessibility of farm lands during harvesting and transpor-

tation. The result is low production costs. The new system is used by farmers in these irrigation schemes.

Since July 2012, the project has been scaled to 5000 farmers through promotional programs supported in part by National Irrigation

Board and marketed by Spring Break Kenya and m-shamba activities.

Living Standards: The farmers’ yields have increased by 150% leading to an increase in sales to Kshs 6750 ($84.38) from Kshs.

2700 ($33.75). Overall Impact on farmers include high mobility, expansion of

fields, and availability of inputs to increase farming. Additional benefits in-

clude reduced reliance on government extension services, middlemen, and

long sessions of training. Most importantly, m-shamba increases market ac-

cess for smallholder farmers and eliminates middlemen who at times create

artificial surplus and buy products cheaply

Quality of Life: This has been qualitatively measured through improved life-

styles demonstrated by clothing, family harmony (reduction in domestic vio-

lence cases), measurement of family worth in the society, and increased ab-

sorption of technology within the farming zones and among youths.

Further Benefits: The advent of county governments in 2013 have further en-

couraged farming as farmers seek stronger cooperatives and better farming

deals to service their counties with agricultural products.

WHOM IT HAS IMPACTED ON

WHOM IT TARGETS

P R E S E N T A T I O N R E P O R T

The m-shamba platform targets youthful farmers, small holder farmers. This is inspired by the objectives of improving food securi-

ty and youth enterprise. The promotion of farming of water melons, butternuts, rice, green grams and horticulture products and

animal rearing are some of the crops aimed at achieving the twin objectives of youth enterprise and food security.

In order to fulfill the need for food security and youth enterprise, the m

-shamba platform targets these specific groups:

Youthful farmers; this category of farmers are technology aware and

have a high rate of absorption. They are also more negatively impacted

with lack of employment opportunities and are energetic and innova-

tive in farming

Monitoring and Evaluation Officers; they will be able to meet farmers

where they are and offer needed services more conveniently

Financiers: With increased use of m-shamba, credit cooperatives will

be able to invest in youths engaging in agriculture as a business

Farming equipment investors; they shall provide necessary inputs

Agricultural policy makers; a careful analysis of trends will inform poli-

cy making at the county level and at the national level as well.

The M-shamba Platform is currently being utilized by a sister-start up company in Kwale District. The company seeks to enhance

greenhouse production to increase food security by promoting greenhouse technology-based farming among youth groups with

development agenda in their plans.

Project Description: The Pwani Fresh Greens Ltd., launches a training component in November for robust capacity building initiative

to increase the acreage under production through local entrepreneurs. The program focuses on production chains with capacity to

produce more through efficient greenhouse production. In order. PFG shall partner with local and foreign investors in building fi-

nancial capacity, logistical capacity and skills necessary to increase the production of greenhouse products for the growth of the

agricultural sector.

Desired Outcomes: In the PFG program, we target young people within Kwale County and the larger Coastal region. We are also

targeting to grow the company’s asset base by 150% in its first year of operation in order to sustain the kind of benefit that is envi-

sioned to create food security. The primary objective is to develop the skills of targeted youth and increase production levels, en-

sure increased mobility of young people and improvement of

social amenities such as housing and clothing, and most of all,

sufficient food for the population. These improvements in the

standards of living shall positively impact on urban to rural mi-

gration and promote involvement of young people in strength-

ening devolution in Kenya. The project shall ensure the im-

proved quality of life which shall be ensured through high self-

esteem, overall satisfaction of life, ability to care for their fami-

lies, hope in life, and acceptance in the community as produc-

tive elements. The desired outcome shall ensure that young

people targeted by this program will be able to access more

investments, the project shall achieve its food security initia-

tive/ agenda, and the company shall grow by 150% thus im-

proving PFG’s capacity to develop its asset base into an agricul-

tural corporate organization with the capacity to ensure sus-

tained food security in East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

AWARDS

——Second best innovation under the software development category: JKUAT TECH EXPO 2011:

Award was presented by the DVC RPE (Research, Planning, and Extension) Prof. Esther Kahangi,

——Top innovation during the first African Forum on Science, Technology and Innovations, 2012:

Award presented by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

——Best innovation during the Innovate for Africa

enterprise competition, 2012. Award presented by

Tafadza Chakaoza, the Innovate for Africa President.

——Best application in the agriculture category during

the Safaricom Appstar Challenge 2012. The award was

presented by Dr. Bitange Ndemo, ICT Permanent Sec-

retary

www.mshamba.net

M-SHAMBA IN GREENHOUSE FARMING

P A G E 4

Physical Address

Vaesity Plaza, Courtyard, 3nd

Floor, Bank Street- Kisumu P.O

BOX 1642-00200

Phone: +254729042228 and

+254723526756

E-mail:

[email protected]

[email protected]