CUK launches USD 815,000 platform to slash post-harvest losses for Kenyan Farmers

KENYA – The Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) has launched a Sh105 million (USD 815,000) digital platform aimed at significantly reducing post-harvest losses for Kenyan farmers dealing in dairy, maize, and potatoes across four counties.

The platform, known as the Kenya Rural Transformation Centre for Digital Platform (KRTCDP), aims to connect farmers with potential buyers while ensuring adherence to both local and international safety standards.

The KRTCDP platform is designed to help farmers in cooperative societies gain better market visibility and improve their operations.

“The platform will ensure that cooperatives gain visibility in the market. Each member will have access to farm inputs and direct market connections, addressing issues such as post-harvest management, extension services, and weather,” said Professor Ken Waweru, Director of Research and Innovation at CUK.

Funded by the African Development Bank, the platform is currently being piloted in Baringo, Nakuru, Narok, and Nyandarua counties. Initially focused on dairy, maize, and potatoes, the platform plans to expand to include other food crops in the future.

One of the key features of the platform is its integrated traceability system, which helps farmers monitor real-time market prices and sales.

Kenya faces significant challenges with post-harvest losses, particularly in the potato sector. Estimates suggest that up to 30% of potatoes are lost post-harvest due to poor storage conditions, mechanical damage during handling, and pest infestations.

These losses not only impact food security but also translate to substantial economic losses, with the country losing food worth up to KSh 72 billion (USD 559.2) annually due to post-harvest issues.

In Nyandarua County, for example, farmers report losing an average of 105 kilograms of their production during harvesting, worth approximately KSh 1,600 (USD 12.43). Poor storage conditions, such as inadequate moisture control and aeration, further exacerbate these losses.

Enhancing accountability and empowering farmers

The KRTCDP platform addresses these issues by providing farmers with real-time market trends, including pricing of commodities, to enhance accountability in cooperative operations.

Unlike other platforms in the market, KRTCDP empowers farmers through their cooperatives, giving them more bargaining power.

Farmers also receive mobile phone notifications about the quantity of produce delivered, ensuring transparency and accuracy in reporting.

CUK has also highlighted that once the platform is fully developed, it will act as a guarantor for farmers’ loans, providing them with better financial access and support.