Farmers will soon receive information on availability of fertiliser and seeds as well as improved farming techniques through their mobile phones.

The ministry of Agriculture will equip agricultural extension officers with laptops and cell phones to provide the information.

The move is also aimed at attracting the youth into farming.

Speaking during the launch of a Sh50 million project dubbed “E-Extension”, Agriculture permanent secretary Romano Kiome said the ministry had acquired 624 extension kits and had instructed agricultural officers to set up desks at the local market centres.

“Application of the E-extension has the potential to increase the output of Kenyan farmers, most of who are small-scale,” the PS said at the function at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute headquarters in Nairobi last week.

It is estimated that 65 per cent of Kenyan farmers use mobile phones, Dr Kiome said, adding that this had guided the ministry’s decision to use…