Before I dig into Farmer LifeLine Kenya and Esther Wanjiru Kimani exploits, let me introduce you to a small fun fact.
About 3 or 4 years ago, I received a text message on my feature phone (kabambe) from the Ministry of Agriculture to subscribe to a free VAS where I would receive information on farming. I immediately subscribed and the messages started coming in sometimes twice in a day. I’d know the right time to plant, which crops to plant in specific regions of Kenya, types of crop diseases and pests and how to control them, among other important info.
With time, the messages became sparse, then unpredictable – and finally they stopped.
Completely.
I’m not yet sure which company was collaborating with the government for such a noble initiative which to me was solving a pertinent problem of access to information and agriculture extension services in spite of one’s location.
With the challenges of unpredictable weather and climate change, disseminating such information to those who need it most was definitely a genius move.
When I learnt about Farmer LifeLine Technologies, I was enthusiastic to find out if what they were doing was the same or different.
To sum it up, may be revolutionary if it succeeds.
Farmer LifeLine Technologies Detecting Diseases
Farmer Lifeline Technologies have created a proprietary device which users can install in their farms for early detection of diseases and pests using AI.
The device, dubbed CDD (Crop Disease and Pests Detection Device) uses solar energy powered cameras, Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, and machine learning to detect pests and diseases and multiply farm yield by over 30%.
In fact, the company is confident enough about the efficiency of the device that it has a cash back guarantee “for any farmer who buys/leases the device and doesn’t get a 30-40% farm harvest increase within the first 4 months.”
The CDD device takes periodic pictures of the crops and when it senses attack by pest or disease, it immediately notifies the farmer through an sms.
It also records the information in its dashboard and computer system for analysis and sharing.
The device can operate even in rainy seasons and its power capacity is about 48 hours, with the camera modules effectively detecting crop diseases and pests from over a 730 metres radius.
FarmerLifeLine technologies has the options of buying or leasing the CDD device, and has agricultural experts to train farmers on how to use it.
I noted some positive testimonials from both Kenya and Uganda on the company website, meaning that the technology has already crossed the borders.
Who is the Founder of Farmer LifeLine technologies?
The founder of Farmers Lifeline Technologies is Esther Kimani Wanjiru who currently serves as its CEO. She describes herself as a “trailblazer in the ClimaTech AgriTech space in Africa, driven by the passion to transform marginalized smallholder farmers lives using renewable energy, AI and Machine Learning.”
Farmer LifeLine Kenya launched in 2019. Since then, Ms Wanjiru and her startup have won various awards and accolades including the African Agrihack, TotalStartUpper, AWIEF African winners, and Comesa Awards.
Most recently, the startup was selected as one of the seven regional winners of the Global Startup Awards (GSA) Africa 2022/23.
“These winners represent the top startups in both their home country and region -This competition is all about building global bridges between our continent’s most exceptional solutions and the people, markets and communities where they can make the most significant impact. ~ Caitlin Nash, GSA Africa and Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG) co-founder.
GSA Africa was itself launched in 2021 to showcase and scale Africa’s most promising startups.
Out of the 747 finalists for the GSA Africa Awards across the five regions, 34% were tackling green innovation.
Other milestones by Farmer LifeLine Kenya
In March 2023, Farmer LifeLine Technologies was among the 5 Kenyan startups (a total of 15 from Africa) chosen for the inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Programme.
The 12-week programme with a boot camp every month in its duration would see the agritech startup access Google’s products, relevant resources, tools, and technology as well as mentoring from industry experts.
The programme seeks to strengthen an ecosystem where women founders tackling some of the most pressing problems on the continent, including climate change solutions, receive necessary support to thrive.
In September 2022, Esther Wanjiru Kimani was overall winner of $50,000 Africa Food Prize Awards GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition. The Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF) chaired by billionaire Strive Masiyiwa organizes the annual competition, in collaboration with Heifer International and Generation Africa.
“The true winners are not going to be because you got a prize, but because you were inspired and encouraged to go on to do greater things with your entrepreneurial venture, and that you reached out where the need was greatest, and the help was least,” Strive Masiyiwa.
Esther Kimani is always on the move, showcasing the potential of the CDD device, pitching for funding, engaging in panel discussions in varied countries, and above all assisting Kenyan farmers to improve their yield and farm profitably.
She captured the attention of members in September 2021 when she was just 25 years old when she presented the technology for consideration in the COMESA Innovation Awards. It was no surprise she went on to win the award for having the most impactful device across 18 countries.
