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Kenyan agri-tech start-up develops smart greenhouses

Illuminum Greenhouses, a Kenyan agri-tech start-up has been offering smart agricultural services to small-holder farmers. Using sensor technology, the farmers are able to receive regular texts on mobile phones on the status of their greenhouse. The farmers can monitor and regulate their farming activities remotely.

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A team of young Kenyans running an agri-tech startup, which offers services in smart farming has set an inspiring example, which proves African innovation in agriculture is on the rise.

The startup is a brainchild of friends Brian Bett and Taita Ng’etich, who developed the idea while they were still in college. The team now includes Alice Kemau, who is responsible for corporate strategy and projects outreach and Damaris Karanje, who heads communications and consumer relations.

The company Illuminum Greenhouses, says it offers services in greenhouse and drip installation, “working with smallholder farmers to improve production and increase efficiency through the use of new modern technologies”.

The greenhouses are fitted with sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, soil moisture and regulate the water supply Photo: Illuminum Greenhouses

The greenhouses are fitted with sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, soil moisture and regulate the water supply Photo: Illuminum Greenhouses

One of the company’s flagship service is sensor technology, which involves fitting greenhouses with “sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, soil moisture and most importantly regulate the water supply”.

According to Illuminum Greenhouses, farmers are able to receive regular texts on their mobile phones on the status of the greenhouse and the farmers can monitor and regulate their farming activities remotely.

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One of the major advantages of Illuminum Greenhouses’ system is that it’s powered by solar energy, which means the small-holder farmers in rural areas can be connected to smart farming technologies to improves their yields.

The company’s services have been well received, having constructed 139 greenhouses to date and serving over 600 farmers.

Watch: Smart mobile farming

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Source: Illuminum Greenhouses

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