Partner NPCK Report: Viazi Soko Digital Platform - 1st Quarter report

Abstract

Potato farmers face challenges in accessing quality farm inputs, linkage to markets, extension and advisory services and other exogenous challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions due to climate change. With financial support from International Potato Center (CIP) through the Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program, a five-year (2015-2020), FtF USAID Funded Program, the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) carried out upgrading and integration of Viazi Soko Digital Platform to address these challenges. The upgraded/intergraded platform has features and plug-in to enable farmers access extension and advisory services, timely seed and ware potato information, weather forecast, and other important inputs and services that will help farmers improve productivity and profitability. The upgraded digital platform is now functional except for minor adjustments and ongoing pretesting. The upgraded platform is operating using three protocols; USSD short code service, Web-based portal and Android App.