Farmers in Kiambu County have been requested to collect meaningful information that will offer them proper understanding of available market opportunities and farming risks to avoid making losses.
This follows the launch on Friday of a short message service (SMS) by Rescue Farming which has partnered with Safaricom to offer the information.
Nicholas Kamau an agricultural expert revealed that farmers have access to free farming advice under the platform.
Kamau said the platform will offer real time information on farming methods, seasonal choice of seedlings and high rain plants exposure and handling.
“Enhanced rainfall is indeed expected in the country where many farmers incur losses due to destruction and rotting of their crops. The 32105 platform will offer you free advice on how to dig trenches, harvest water in a safe manner and protect your seedlings from damage,” he said.
‘We have also taken up training of farmers in embracing crop diversity, crop rotation, and appropriate crop varieties for different zones, improved crop storage methods to increase food security and protection of planted seedlings from both under and visual damage,’ he added.
The Met department has focused El Nino rains to begin in October through to December.
Martha Nyambura, the organisation secretary advised farmers to harvest water in preparation for the January dry season.
‘This 32105 farmers advise platform charges Sh1. Farmers are advised to text the word rescue to 32105 with their question, and they will receive the advice through the same platform after 10 minutes,” she said.
The two spoke on Friday during a one-day training at Karuri Farm in Gatundu North Sub-County.