FROM LEFT: Vincent Tirgei , Elisha Misoi, Kombo Steve Momanyi and Martin
Kamau, the developers of Zalisha platform at the Chandaria Business
Incubation Center in Kenyatta University. PHOTO | COURTESY
For a long time cartels had been a major stumbling block for Alfred Thuranira, a farmer in Meru County.
The
hard question was how he would circumvent these brokers living off his
sweat. He did not have to wait for a salvation for long as Zalisha, a
mobile-based app, was born.
The app directly links
farmers to buyers. Through the platform, farmers are also educated on
good and modern agricultural practices.
This was
godsend for Mr Thuranira, who had been under the mercies of middle men,
robbing him of the fruits of his labour by offering him rock bottom
prices.
“The brokers are now a thing of the past. I have been able to
eliminate them through this system,” says Mr Thuranira in an interview
with Enterprise, adding that he now directly sells his produce to
buyers.
The platform is a product of FINETEK
Technologies (K) Ltd, a startup software company that is in cubated in
the Chandaria Business Incubation Centre at the Kenyatta University Main
Campus.
Mr Thuranira says he has also been able to
improve his produce from 900 fruits of avocado per tree to 1,100,
courtesy of the online information that he gets on the Zalisha platform.
FINETEK
Technologies is composed of a group of software developers who desire
to transform the way farming is done in Kenya through the use of
technology and smart digital applications.
The project,
which was founded on May 2017, has six founders and developers – Steve
Momanyi, Vincent Tirgei, Elisha Misoi, Martin Kamau, Vincent Omondi and
Bedan Kamau.
They are currently working with about 500
farmers but they are expecting the number to rise as more people get to
know about the benefits accruing from using the app.
“Zalisha
offers predictive farming depending on agro ecology to farmers, by
providing accurate weather and climate analytics as well as customised
information on crops depending on their farm locations,” says Mr
Momanyi, the director of the initiative.
“The platform also provides a marketplace for farmers to sell their produce as well as get services.”
Zalisha
also seeks to help farmers get accurate and consistent weather
information on the present and future, give advice on crops to be
planted, the timing, the right farming procedures and how to combat crop
pests.
In addition, the platform advises farmers on
the best time for harvesting and how to do it properly in order to gain
maximum yield. The lessons are offered through video tutorials or quick
notes.
A user can add their farms to the platform
catalogue, depending on their locations. The system can then
automatically suggests to them crops that can do well in the areas they
are located.
The app monitors the farm’s activities and provide advise accordingly.
Mr
Thuranira says he gets up to date information on profitable crops, how
they can be planted, and the best agricultural practices.
“The platform can effectively manage planting, tendering and harvesting in for farmers to gain maximum yield,” Mr Momanyi says.
Zalisha
also connect farmers directly to the local consumer market. This
enables independent farmers and Saccos to sell their produce easily.
Buyers are also able to contact farmers easily.
Farm input resellers can also get in touch with farmers without having to scout physically for the market.
The
app also provides a forum for one to ask and post questions related to
their farming practices and provide a communication channel for farmers
through formation of farmers groups.
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