"WhatsApp farmers chatting their way to better returns"

Francis Kimingi has owned a mobile phone for more than a decade but has never had a reason to install or open any of popular social media accounts. The father of three from Kinari, Kiambu County use to believe social media is a preserve of teenagers and educated people working in offices and living in urban areas. But he changed this perception last year. He downloaded, installed and opened a WhatsApp account. 

He is a member of a farmers’ group that uses modern technology to foster their farming activities. "It has made my work easier. I use the account to communicate with other farmers as well as seek the advice from agronomists," says Mr Kimingi. He is a member of Grafco Sacco, owned by small-scale farmers contracted to grow kales for export. “I became aggressively active in the group in December when we planted the first crop. I am now reaping some good monthly returns. Social media helps me adhere to farming practices to meet set standards,” says Mr Kimingi as he scrolls through his WhatsApp pages. In the group, the farmers exchange best farming practice ideas, consult on challenges and share success stories. Adhering to the farming guidelines has guaranteed Mr Kimingi a Sh50,000 monthly income from his one-acre kales farm.