Nairobi, Kenya – Safaricom’s (NSE: SCOM) DigiFarm has emerged top of the Shared Value Category in the just concluded Loeries Awards in Durban, South Africa.
The Loeries is an initiative that recognizes, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the brand communication industry in Africa and Middle East. The Shared Value category recognizes brands that solve social problems by providing products with a purpose.
Digifarm is a platform that provides smallholder farmers convenient access to a variety of services including discounted inputs, financing and advice on best farming practice: all from the comfort of a mobile phone.
In May, Digifarm was recognized as the Most Innovative Service at the inaugural East Africa Com Awards and it also emerged winner of the developing world technology category in Fast Company‘s 2018 World Changing Ideas Awards held in April.
“At Safaricom, our strategy is underpinned by the 3P’s: People, Purpose and Profit, and services like Digifarm demonstrate our commitment to being a purpose-led organization that meets societal needs through offering innovative products and services. We are also proponents of the sustainable development goals and through Digifarm, we are able to champion the goal on zero hunger,” said Rita Okuthe, Director – Enterprise Business Unit, Safaricom.
“At its core, Digifarm is a financial service that is bundled with productivity tools to help farmers take the guesswork out of farming and the accolades it has received so far is a testament to its transformative power,” said Rita Okuthe.
Since its launch in October 2017, Digifarm has registered over 913,000 farmers and disbursed over 13,000 loans. Over 20 depots have also been opened across the country to provide farmers access to high quality inputs that can be purchased on credit payable across 30, 60, or 90 days. Currently, plans are underway to pilot a module that will connect farmers to buyers. Farmers can access the service by dialling *283#
A number of partners support Digifarm. Farmdrive enable the credit module, Arifu provides farmers access to relevant information, and iProcure provide high quality farm inputs. Mercy Corps, MasterCard Foundation and Financial Sector Deepening Kenya provide the financing for the loans issued by Digifarm.
