This project seeks to develop a scalable software platform that provides management and fertiliser scheduling advice to smallholder tea farmers in Kenya.
- DatesAugust 2020-July 2022
- SponsorUK Technology Strategy Board
- Funded£188,816
- PartnersClimate Edge Ltd (co-ordinator), Sustainable Venture Development Partners Ltd, Producers Direct, Sireet Outgrowers Empowerment and Producers Co. Ltd (Kenya), Unilever UK Central Resources Ltd (UK)
Soil degradation and poor nutrient management are global challenges that particularly affect low-income farmers in Africa. This two-year project aims to develop a software platform for delivering management and fertiliser scheduling advice to smallholder tea growers in Kenya. ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ 4% of Kenya’s GDP is derived from the tea industry and smallholders produce about 60% of the crop. Nitrogen is a major cost but it also determines the yield and quality of tea.
The project brings together tea modelling work completed by ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ in East Africa and the agro-meteorological and soil sensing expertise of ClimateEdge. The Kenya partners include Producers Direct, which is a network of co-operatives representing 280 thousand farmers.
