This archive report was first published on 16 November 2019.
On a recent Saturday at Egerton University, the Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic was abuzz with innovative farm technologies. Farmers were spoilt for choice with a range of gadgets on display, from solar-powered milk coolers to pesticide sprayers and winnowers.
One of the standout exhibits was a solar-powered milk cooler, which can store energy in an ice bank and keep milk cool for at least three days in the absence of sunlight. According to Dr. Musa Njue, a senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Engineering at Egerton University, the cooler comes in 300 and 500-litre capacity and is ideal for milk aggregators, youth and women groups, medium-scale farmers, and cooperatives.
“Farmers sell the evening milk at low prices and on many occasions, the milk gets spoilt or is rejected by processors the following day. This cooler is resilient to climate change and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dr. Njue.
Another innovative gadget on display was a feed mixer, which can mix a variety of feeds and minerals ranging from dairy meal, pig feed, chicken mashes, and human food. The mixer has a chamber for holding the feed ingredients, a motor, and two outlets for letting out the product.
“Some innovative farmers are even using it to mix soil with manure and fertiliser for bagged and potted seedlings,” said Dr. Musa Njue.
A grain winnower was also showcased, which can winnow grains such as maize, wheat, and sorghum. The machine consists of a mortar, blower, pulley, dust outlet, and a clean grain hopper.
According to Brian Sakwa of the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro), the appliance eases spraying of crops on the farm as it can be driven by one person and covers a wide spread at a go. The system is made up of a trolley with one wheel on one end and handlebars on the other.
“This machine is easy to use and requires no power since it is the rotating wheel that pumps the chemicals,” said Sakwa.
