Nairobi News

In the realm of modern agriculture, technology stands as a beacon of progress, offering innovative solutions to enhance farming practices.

With a focus on increasing crop yield and quality, farmers are urged to embrace these advancements wholeheartedly.

Optimerce Consulting, a visionary private company established by John Waweru four years ago, stands at the forefront of providing indispensable services to farmers.

Central to its offerings is a cutting-edge digital app designed to streamline agricultural operations.

This digital marvel serves as a centralized hub, gathering vital information on farmers’ performance.

According to Mr Waweru, the proprietor, the app proves most beneficial for enterprises or organizations involved in servicing farmers, facilitating seamless data collection and analysis.

“It is particularly advantageous for entities involved in collecting farm produce, ranging from milk, avocados, coffee, tea, and macadamia nuts to eggs and meat,” Mr Waweru explains.

The agripreneur insists that the list of farm produce the system can offer services for is too extensive to mention in full.

Meved Dairy Farm exemplifies one of the many enterprises leveraging the Optimerce app to optimize its services.

Situated in Kirinyaga County, the farm specializes in dairy cow rearing and has established partnerships with local farmers for milk distribution.

Through the app’s digital infrastructure, Optimerce empowers enterprises to efficiently manage farmer lists, track deliveries, and maintain accurate records of transactions.

Jackson Kantai, Optimerce’s Good Relations Manager, highlights the app’s role in promoting transparency and accountability in performance metrics.

“The system automates farmers’ details, including names, identification numbers, phone numbers, and banking information, ensuring accuracy and accountability in all transactions,” explains Kantai, a finance graduate from Moi University.

For the enterprises, the app serves as a comprehensive tool for managing personnel, tracking sales, and monitoring overall performance.

With prices ranging from Sh100, 000 to Sh300, 000, the app offers a customizable solution tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Despite not being available on mainstream app stores, the app is compatible with all smartphones and can be easily installed based on client preferences.

Furthermore, Optimerce ensures data security through formal contracts with clients, guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.

In recognition of its transformative impact on the agricultural sector, Mr John Waweru, the proprietor, received the prestigious AYuTe Africa Challenge award from Heifer International in 2022.

This accolade underscores Optimerce’s pivotal role in revolutionizing farming practices through digital innovation.

Heifer International, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting smallholder farmers and enterprises in Africa, lauds the pivotal role of young innovators like Waweru in driving agricultural transformation through technology.

“The agricultural sector stands to gain immensely from the involvement of young innovators, who bring unparalleled expertise in technology and innovation,” remarks Esta Kamau, Heifer Kenya Country Director.

Powered by E4 Impact Accelerator, the AYuTe competition seeks to empower promising agritech innovators across Africa, catalyzing a new era of sustainable food production.

With a growing network of over 30, 000 farmers and partnerships with more than 20 investors nationwide, Optimerce Consulting Ltd continues to spearhead digital transformation in agriculture.

However, Mr Waweru acknowledges the challenges of attracting investors, underscoring the need for sustained support and recognition of digital initiatives in the agricultural sector.

Also read: Equatorial Guinea suspend AFCON 2023 topscorer Emilio Nsue for ‘indiscipine’

Exclusive: Actor Bilal Mwaura pays heartfelt tribute to late Charles Ouda