The “Voices from the Field” session was a powerful highlight of the AGX AI Unconference, spotlighting firsthand experiences from farmers, agronomists, and technologists tackling agricultural challenges on the ground. Facilitated by Sheena Raikundalia, Chief Growth Officer at Kuza Biashara, the session illustrated how local knowledge, digital tools, and community-led models can drive meaningful change in agricultural systems.
Speaker 1: Jeremiah Letting – Coffee Farmer & Cooperative Leader
Jeremiah Letting, a smallholder coffee farmer and chair of the Meditei Set Kabur Cooperative Society in Nandi County, shared an in-depth overview of the annual coffee production cycle, including detailed agronomic practices, fertilizer timelines, and climate dependencies. He described the severe disruptions caused by climate change, such as shifting harvest seasons, increased pest infestations, and erratic rainfall.
He also highlighted systemic challenges, including:
- Lack of access to training and extension services
- Low market access and high input costs
- Gender inequity in farming rewards
- Limited youth participation due to stigma around agriculture
- Poor infrastructure and middlemen pressures
Despite these hurdles, Jeremiah expressed hope in collaboration with experts to co-develop solutions, increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve livelihoods through stronger partnerships and innovation.
Speaker 2: Vincent Kip Limo – Agronomist and Cooperative Manager
Vincent reinforced many of Jeremiah’s concerns, especially around:
- Land degradation and climate extremes (e.g. landslides)
- Poor road networks limiting transport and market access
- Inadequate supply of certified seeds
- Insufficient one-on-one extension services
He stressed the urgent need for better seed systems, access to knowledge, and institutional coordination to prevent declining yields and quality. He urged government actors and cooperatives like KPCU to invest in localized extension and quality assurance systems to support smallholders.
Speaker 3: Peter Kibet – Technologist & AI Advocate
Peter brought a digital lens to the conversation, sharing his work at the Toroton Farmers Cooperative Society, where he helps farmers digitize operations and access emerging AI-powered tools. He outlined the potential of DPI and AI to transform agricultural systems through:
- Farmer registration and digital ID systems
- Soil health mapping and pest prediction
- Real-time price transparency and traceability
- Smart advisory and AI-based decision-making
- Open platforms connecting farmers to finance, markets, and services
He also candidly noted barriers such as low digital reach, limited connectivity, trust issues, and data privacy concerns, calling for targeted action to ensure digital systems are contextualized, accessible, and inclusive.
Session Takeaway
This session grounded the unconference in reality, bridging abstract technological aspirations with the lived experiences of farmers and frontline actors. The candid testimonies demonstrated that while AI and DPI offer immense promise, their success depends on trusted human networks, localized deployment, and deep listening to community needs.
The speakers collectively called for greater investment in:
- Extension services
- Input systems and seed access
- Climate adaptation strategies
- Digital capacity building
- Stronger multi-stakeholder partnerships
This was a clear reminder that the path to transformative agriculture starts from the field—with farmers at the center.
