Kenya’s Cooperatives Experience Growth Through KRTCDP Digital Platform

Deputy Commissioner for Cooperative Development Simon Mburia has emphasized the transformative potential of the Kenya Rural Transformation Centers Digital Platform (KRTCDP) project, particularly for cooperatives and farmers in Kenya.

The project aims to consolidate data and information onto a unified platform, facilitating seamless interaction between cooperatives and farmers for a range of services.Recognizing the challenges in accessing individual farmers due to limited member information, Mr. Mburia highlighted the platform's ability to streamline operations, such as enabling direct payments to farmers, bypassing intermediaries. This move is expected to enhance efficiency and transparency in cooperative-farmer relations, ultimately benefiting the agricultural sector and rural communities.

Mr. Mburia referred to Sessional Paper No. 4 of 2020, which pinpointed the documentation of cooperative data as a significant obstacle to cooperative development. In response, he advocated for the creation of digital information centers to overcome this challenge and promote knowledge sharing among cooperatives.He illustrated the benefits of the digital platform by describing how cooperatives can now efficiently procure specific fertilizers tailored to farmers' needs, thereby reducing wastage.

Emphasizing the cooperative sector's integral role in Kenya's BETA agenda—focused on advancing health, agriculture, manufacturing, and ICT—Mr. Mburia stressed its responsibility as a key facilitator in achieving these objectives.The project, initiated a year ago and spearheaded by the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK), received funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB). Its primary aim is to empower small holder farmers and integrate them into the agricultural value chain, aligning with broader national development goals.

During a validation workshop held in Nakuru, Prof. Kamau Ngamau, the Vice Chancellor of CUK, underscored the significant benefits of the project for both farmers and cooperatives. He highlighted how the digital platform facilitates access to quality inputs, extension services, financing, and broader market reach, thereby empowering farmers and enhancing the efficiency of cooperatives.

Prof. Ngamau emphasized the positive impact of the project on farmers' decision-making processes and economic returns, particularly in pilot counties such as Narok, Nakuru, Baringo, and Nyandarua.He noted the challenges faced by farmers in marketing their produce due to a lack of information about buyers, resulting in losses. Additionally, he highlighted how brokers exploit this information gap to offer farmers poor prices, exacerbating their financial struggles.

Joseph Naimodu, speaking as a dairy farmer from Narok County, emphasized the pivotal role of the platform in furnishing crucial market information. By providing real-time data, it can help farmers like him make informed decisions, ultimately mitigating potential losses and safeguarding against exploitation by brokers who may take advantage of their lack of information.

Risper Chepkonga, serving as the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock & Blue Economy in Baringo County, commended the initiative for its potential to revolutionize decision-making processes within the agricultural sector through digitization. She elaborated on how the platform facilitates access to essential services such as weather reports, improves market accessibility, and optimizes the distribution of vital agricultural resources, thereby empowering farmers and cooperatives to operate more efficiently and sustainably.

Ms. Chepkonga further underscored the project's pertinence to Baringo's diverse agricultural landscape, particularly highlighting its relevance to key sectors such as maize, dairy, and Irish potato farming. By addressing various challenges across the agricultural value chain, the initiative promises to foster growth, resilience, and prosperity within local farming communities.