For a long time, Kenya’s potato farming sector has faced significant challenges that have hindered its growth potential. Smallholder farmers, in particular, have struggled with the inaccessibility of certified seeds, the use of incorrect agricultural inputs, limited knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and a lack of market access after harvesting. These obstacles have kept farmers from realizing the full potential of potato farming, contributing to stagnant production and reduced profitability.

However, NPCK brings exciting news for farmers in the country: the Viazi Soko Digital Platform is here to transform the way smallholder farmers access essential farming resources. This platform is a game-changer, offering farmers a one-stop shop where they can access certified seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, service providers, and market linkages for their harvests.

Viazi Soko collaborates with top-certified seed potato companies, including Agrico, Kisima, Fresh Crop, and Global South, enabling farmers to conveniently book and order seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals directly through the platform. Once ordered, the inputs are delivered to the farmer’s nearest collection point, making it easier than ever for farmers to access high-quality products.

One key feature of Viazi Soko is its commitment to helping smallholder farmers. While the platform limits seed purchases to four bags per farmer, it recognizes that many farmers only require one to three bags of certified seed. To overcome this, Viazi Soko encourages the formation of farmer groups. By coming together, farmers can pool their resources to collectively buy inputs, which are then delivered to a designated collection point, making access to certified seeds more affordable and practical for smallholder farmers.

Viazi Soko is not only about access to seeds. The platform also collaborates with leading fertilizer companies such as Yara, Elgon Kenya, OCP, and others, as well as agrochemical giants like Syngenta and Bayer. These partnerships ensure that farmers can access quality fertilizers and agrochemicals that will help them achieve optimal potato production. Through Viazi Soko, farmers are empowered with the right inputs to enhance their crop yields and quality.

Moreover, the platform works with several processing companies, including Sereni Fries, Norda, Simplifine, and Wedge Hut, to guarantee that farmers have reliable access to the market after harvesting. This is a crucial component, as the lack of market access has often led to post-harvest losses and price manipulation. Viazi Soko addresses this issue by connecting farmers with processing companies that provide consistent market demand, ensuring that farmers can sell their potatoes quickly and at fair prices.

Viazi soko dash board

Getting started with Viazi Soko is simple. Farmers can register by pressing the “Register” button on the platform’s welcoming page. After entering their phone number in the format 254799739578, they will request a PIN. It’s important to ensure that promotional messages are activated to complete the registration process, which can be done by dialing *100*5*2*4# on a Safaricom line (as payments are made through M-Pesa). Once the PIN is received, farmers can complete the registration process and create their Viazi Soko account.

The Viazi Soko platform is not just a digital tool, but a catalyst for the transformation of the potato farming sector in Kenya. By providing farmers with easier access to certified seeds, essential inputs, and reliable market linkages, Viazi Soko is empowering smallholder farmers to improve productivity, reduce losses, and enhance their incomes. This initiative represents a significant step forward in modernizing Kenya’s potato industry and supporting its farmers in achieving sustainable growth and profitability.

Viazi Soko marketplace dashboard