Press Release | First published on mezzanineware.com on 23 July 2020
Pretesting and training has begun on an eVouchering system for small holder farmers in Kirinyaga County in Kenya today. This marks the beginning of a two-year contract Safaricom has secured with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives (MoALF) in Kenya to provide subsidies to small holder farmers to buy agricultural inputs. Mezzanine’s eVouchering solution is being used to enable the initiative.
Small holder farmers will benefit from subsidised agricultural inputs through electronic vouchers sent via SMS. Recipients will redeem vouchers at participating agro-dealer outlets and receive the inputs they need such as fertiliser, seeds and agrochemicals. eVouchers will be dispensed to support the cultivation of maize, rice, Irish potatoes, and coffee in twelve counties initially and then nationally.
This contract is part of the World Bank’s recent announcement on the approval of
$1 billion in financing to Kenya to address the COVID-19 financing gap and support Kenya’s economy. As part of the agreement, Kenya has implemented policy reforms that look to directly benefit many low-income Kenyan households, including small holder farmers.
We are excited to support small holder farmers in Kenya through Safaricom. By digitally enabling this initiative, the MoALF is easily able to roll out support for small-scale farmers across Kenya at the press of a button. The fact that it also minimises direct contact as we take steps to lessen the spread of COVID-19 is an added advantage.
The eVouchering solution is a managed digital technology solution that allows organisations to issue safe and verifiable subsidy programs to large and often unbanked consumer bases at scale. eVoucher consists of a web portal, for use by administrators and disbursement officials, and a mobile application for use by beneficiaries and merchants. It also leverages USSD technology to expand access to individuals that rely on feature phones.
The solution has the capacity to connect last mile users to their subsidies in a safe way that records important information for funders to keep track of recipients.
Live since 2017, the eVouchering solution has facilitated the distribution of subsidies in various countries on the African continent such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia.
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About Mezzanine
Mezzanine is a technology company that creates digital solutions to enable productive societies across Sub-Saharan Africa. It is part of the Vodacom Group.
Mezzanine has, since 2012, designed and built digital solutions for enterprise customers across Sub-Saharan Africa, working with mobile network operators to bring about positive change in the lives of people through the benefits of the digital dividend. Our unique selling point is our experience and expertise in the fields of agriculture, health, last-mile supply chain management, financial inclusion and education. We specialise in delivering last-mile mobile solutions that enable enterprises, both public and private, to interact and transact with underserved segments of the economy through innovative business models.
Press contact
Stephen Kinuthia
Regional Manager for East Africa
skinuthia@mezzanineware.com | +254 727 809 508
