The Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) has unveiled a new digital platform in Narok County aimed at enhancing farmer productivity and improving market access. The initiative was launched during a farmers’ forum in Narok town, where Professor Wycliffe Aluoch, a lecturer at CUK, introduced the program that will require farmers to form cooperatives. These cooperatives will receive training on various value chains tailored to their specific produce.
Narok, Nakuru, and Baringo Counties have been selected as pilot regions for the project, which is being funded by the African Development Bank (ADB).
Professor Aluoch explained that the digital platform will connect farmers with extension officers, value addition actors, and markets, allowing for direct interaction. “There are cases where farmers produce but do not reach the markets due to factors such as impassable roads and long distances. This leaves them vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen,” he noted.
The platform will also provide farmers with access to critical agricultural services and inputs by incorporating agro-suppliers into the system. This initiative aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), as it aims to increase farmers’ incomes by ensuring they receive fair compensation for their produce.
In addition to boosting farmers’ earnings, the initiative is expected to enhance food security in Kenya by increasing production, particularly in key sectors such as maize, dairy, and Irish potatoes.
“The sustainability of farmers’ cooperatives and value chains will be greatly improved, as this shared platform will facilitate easier interactions with input suppliers, financial institutions, and markets,” said Professor Aluoch. “Ultimately, farmers will see greater profits.”
Narok County Cooperative Officer, Hellen Surum, praised the initiative, highlighting its potential to empower struggling farmers’ groups through training. She urged farmers to form or join cooperatives to fully benefit from the project, warning that those who are not part of any group will miss out on the advantages the platform offers.
