Data-Driven Livestock Management: How an Agri-Fintech company is Revolutionizing Livestock Farming in Kenya
We would like to Introduce a gentleman who is changing the face of agriculture through innovation and technology. Wanjohi Bernard is the founder and CEO of Imfuyo an Agri-fintech company that is empowering farmers by improving productivity, providing access to loans, and implementing data-driven livestock management practices.
With a passion for agriculture and a keen eye for innovation, he has harnessed the power of technology to help farmers overcome the challenges they face in their daily lives. Imfuyo offers a range of services that are designed to improve productivity and increase profitability for farmers, while also promoting sustainable practices that are good for the environment.
Through his work, he has helped countless farmers to achieve their goals and build successful businesses. His approach is based on a deep understanding of the needs of farmers, and a commitment to using technology in a way that is accessible and easy to use.
In this blog feature, we will explore the work of this visionary changemaker, and discover how his Agri-fintech innovation company is transforming the lives of farmers around the world. From improving yields to managing livestock, we will delve into the tools and technologies that are making a difference on the ground, and explore the stories of farmers who have benefited from his work.
So, join us as we step into the world of Agri-fintech, and discover the visionary entrepreneur who is helping farmers to thrive in the modern age.
Imfuyo is Zulu for livestock, they launched the company because they wanted to solve a problem they had grown up with and decided to focus on unlocking farm productivity and dead capital. Their main goal has been to empower farmers economically by addressing financial inclusion challenges faced by underbanked farmers and contributing to Africa’s food security efforts.
Imfuyo has received two international awards, including the Glovo-Esade tech-based competition and the Corporate Vision Magazine small company awards 2022 for the best Agri-Fintech start-up in East Africa.
Imfuyo offers a comprehensive approach that combines smart hardware and software to address the issue of dead capital associated with livestock, which enhances farm productivity and financially empowers farmers. Their range of offerings includes financial products and services for farmers, as well as livestock identification and health-nutrition-production analysis. Their primary target clients include African financial institutions and unbanked farmers who are part of a farmer group.
Imfuyo’s technology-based financing model functions by using livestock ear tagging and software to access financial products and enhance farm productivity for farmers who are underbanked. Its approach sets it apart from traditional financing models because it relies on up-to-date information from a farmer profile score card, which enables Imfuyo to cater to farmers who have limited access to formal financial services and deliver personalized financial products based on their livestock data.
According to Wanjohi, farmers who do not have access to banking services are provided with financial literacy training and given access to capital based on the value of their assets, which may include cattle. Wanjohi also mentioned that they help the farmers maintain and store records of their livestock, which can be assessed to offer recommendations for improving their herd’s production.
Wanjohi states that they access the creditworthiness of farmers by using a unique method and scorecard to evaluate the value of Livestock and include it in the farmer’s creditworthiness evaluation. This approach is carried out in partnership with reputable financial institutions.
Currently Imfuyo has a customer base of 60 farmers group spread out across the country with a target to triple the number of farmers groups & farmers as well as achieve a 3 to 1 livestock to farmer ratio in the next one year.
Imfuyo boasts of a diverse and highly skilled team of professionals with a wide range of expertise. This team comprises individuals with backgrounds in animal health and welfare, data analysis, software engineering, finance, business development, and more.
Each team member’s unique skills and experiences contribute to the company’s overall success. For example, the CEO, Mr. Wanjohi Njathi Bernard, is described as having extensive expertise in technology and financial services across multiple African markets, and he utilizes a rapid and aggressive approach to maneuver through all aspects of the business.
The animal health and welfare specialists, Dr. Cynthia Nolari and Dr. Carol Khaemba, bring deep knowledge of livestock management, while the data analysts gather and analyze data to generate actionable insights. The technology team, led by Mr. Peter Kabunyi, develops and maintains the platform technology, and the financial experts, including Ms. Ruth Mwangi, design and implement financing solutions.
The company’s storytelling component is strengthened by the creative mindset and social media and storytelling talents of Ms. Beldine Neema. With such a diverse set of skills and backgrounds, the team is well-equipped to deliver innovative financial products and services that increase farm productivity for underbanked farmers.
Imfuyo is actively looking for investors and funding to back their business. In addition, partnering with global institutions like the World Bank, GIZ, FAO, USAID, and Swiss Capacity Building Facility would further advance their goals and accelerate their business objectives.
Imfuyo expressed their commitment to playing their part in agriculture, acknowledging its vital importance by stating, “If agriculture fails, everything else fails.
Agriculture is indeed the foundation of our food systems and the backbone of many economies around the world. It’s encouraging to see organizations like Imfuyo prioritizing the role of agriculture and taking action to contribute to its success.
Feature by
Harliet Njenga
info@thinkopal.com
