Kenya’s agricultural sector is the backbone of its economy, providing livelihoods to over 70% of the population. Despite its importance, traditional farming methods and challenges such as climate change, unreliable infrastructure, and middleman exploitation often hinder productivity and growth. However, the integration of mobile technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the agricultural landscape, offering farmers new opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and achieve sustainability.
On December 14th, 2024, Geotto was honored at the Mkulima Digital Recognition Awards ceremony held at the Kingdom International Premier Schools Auditorium in Bondeni, Nakuru. The event, organized by Everising Farmersin collaboration with the County Government of Nakuru, celebrated innovation and technology in farming under the theme "Celebrating Innovation and Technology in Farming."
The event’s chief guest, Dr. Michael Kiplangat, County Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries in Nakuru County, highlighted the transformative power of technology in modern agriculture. The ceremony featured award categories such as beevectoring, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, precision agriculture, indoor vertical farming, farm automation, climate change solutions, mobile applications, and livestock farming technology.
The day-long event, running from 10 AM to 4 PM, was divided into two main sessions. The first session focused on training and capacity building in best farming practices, where topics such as the circular economy, conservation agriculture, and aquaponics farming were explored. The second session, chaired by Dr. Michael Kiplangat, focused on recognizing outstanding innovations. Notable mentions included a Form 3 student who developed a GSM-based poultry feeding system and an ESP32-based soil moisture and automated irrigation system.
Dr. Kiplangat emphasized the importance of adopting technologies like telephone farming, controlled traffic farming, AI, and IoT to boost productivity. He praised the organizers for enhancing digital literacy among farmers and highlighted Nakuru’s pivotal role in agriculture, especially in sectors like dairy farming.
Geotto’s award-winning solution in the Mobile Applications category showcases how mobile technology can empower farmers. By integrating IoT and AI into a mobile app, Geotto allows farmers to remotely monitor their farms and systems through a user-friendly dashboard. This real-time monitoring enables:
Quick Decision-Making: Farmers receive instant updates on farm conditions and can take swift action.
Efficiency Gains: Automating tasks such as incubation, irrigation, and livestock feeding reduces labor costs.
Sustainability: Precise control of resources like water and energy helps reduce waste and improve environmental outcomes.
Geotto’s mobile app bridges the gap between traditional farming practices and modern technology by offering:
Remote Monitoring: Farmers can track farm operations anytime, anywhere.
Data Analytics: Insights generated from real-time data help optimize productivity.
Alerts and Notifications: Immediate updates on temperature, humidity, and system performance.
Winning at the Mkulima Digital Recognition Awards is a milestone for Geotto and a testament to our commitment to innovation. We thank the organizers, partners, and friends who supported us and made this recognition possible. As we look ahead to 2024, we aim to scale up our startup, empowering more farmers and introducing smarter, more sustainable agricultural practices.
With the continued integration of mobile technology, AI, and IoT, Geotto is determined to lead the charge in transforming Kenyan farming, making it more efficient, productive, and sustainable.