The Murang’a county government has launched a pilot digital distribution system of certified maize seeds and fertilizer, targeting approximately 135,000 farmers registered under the Inua Mkulima programme.
According to the county administration, the move is aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and accountability in the allocation of agricultural inputs.
The initiative follows long-standing challenges associated with the traditional school-based physical distribution model, which was often characterized by overcrowding, long queues, congestion and weak accountability mechanisms, particularly during the festive season.
The County Secretary, Newton Mwangi, said the pilot scheme was introduced to address the existing inefficiencies, aimed at ensuring farmers access inputs in a more dignified and orderly manner.
“The county government has, for a long time faced challenges with the physical distribution of maize and fertilizer. This digital system allows farmers to redeem their items within their communities, significantly reducing congestion, delays and disputes,” said Mwangi.
He noted that the new structure was tested using a Christmas and New Year goodwill package, where eligible residents received wheat flour to assess the system’s effectiveness, before full implementation for maize seeds and fertilizer distribution.
“We deliberately used the festive season to test this model because that is when congestion is usually at its peak. The results have been encouraging, with thousands of farmers redeeming their items smoothly within a short period,” he added.
Under this system, farmers redeem their allocations through approved local merchants near their homes, instead of traveling to central distribution centres.
About 33,000 farmers, approximately 25 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries, have so far successfully redeemed their items within five days, largely without queuing.
Mwangi noted that farmers can now access the supplies through two redemption methods: One is via an official SMS from the county government containing a unique redemption code, which is presented to an approved merchant for validation.
“Alternatively, farmers who may have deleted the SMS or blocked promotional messages can redeem their items using their National Identity Cards, which are photographed and uploaded into the system for verification,” he added.
Mwangi said the pilot system will inform the full rollout of digital distribution under the Inua Mkulima programme.
“This is only a pilot scheme, but the lessons we are learning will guide the county, even as we move towards a fully digital, transparent and farmer-friendly system for distributing maize, fertilizer and other essential inputs,” he said.
Annah Wanjiku, a farmer from Kambirwa, said the digital distribution system was accommodating and easy to use, allowing farmers to collect their items at their convenience.
“This system has really helped us because there is no pushing or confusion like before. We can get our supplies calmly and without the commotion that used to happen in the field,” said Wanjiku.
On his part, Gabriel Wachira, a Murang’a resident and a beneficiary of the programme, said the new approach had brought order and transparency to the distribution process.
“Previously, there was a lot of congestion and disorder during distribution, but this time around, everything appears well-organized. Getting the items from nearby shops has saved us time and reduced the chaotic nature witnessed in the earlier arrangement,” Wachira said.
By Bernard Munyao
