This archive report was first published on 2 December 2019.
On February 1, 2019, Kenya introduced the 'Let it Rain' challenge, a mobile-based game that encourages farmers to predict the start of the rainy season. The challenge was created by The Mediae Company in collaboration with the iShamba farmers' information service.
According to Sophie Rottmann, project coordinator for Mediae, the idea behind the game was to engage farmers in a conversation about the challenges they face due to unpredictable weather patterns. 'One of the key issues is that they never know when the rains are coming and, as a result, they will plant too early or harvest too late,' Rottmann explained.
The 'Let it Rain' challenge allows farmers to predict the date of the first rains in their area and win a cash prize of up to Sh100,000. Every entrant will also gain free access to iShamba, an online service that provides advice on farming, including information on pests and plants.
Climate change has been affecting east Africa, with erratic weather patterns causing floods, landslides, and displacement of people. In Kenya, the situation is particularly dire, with over 3 million people projected to be in crisis due to hunger.
Kevin Gitau, iShamba's program manager, emphasized the importance of providing farmers with accurate and timely information to improve their crop yields and manage their farms more efficiently. 'The farming cycle is very vulnerable. There is a demand for accurate and timely information. Farmers need information quickly - a two-week delay in planting can result in up to 60 percent reduced crop yield,' Gitau said.
Boniface Akuku, head of the Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform, a government-run meteorological forecasting tool for farmers, noted that many farmers lack access to information and support from government advisers. 'Extension workers are thin on the ground and often do not have the resources or ability to reach farmers many of whom are in remote areas,' Akuku said.
