UjuziKilimo Founder Brian Bosire on agricultural entrepreneurship in Kenya

Young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector are making waves at the Young Africa Works Summit, with innovative solutions to modernize farming practices. One such pioneer is Brian Bosire, the founder of UjuziKilimo, an agricultural technology company based in Kenya. UjuziKilimo is dedicated to providing affordable precision farming tools to smallholder farmers, empowering them to increase their yields and combat hunger and food insecurity in the region. By leveraging sensors and data analytics, Bosire and his team are revolutionizing farming practices for small-scale farmers in Kenya. Bosire acknowledges the challenges that come with being a young entrepreneur in the agricultural industry. Access to capital has been a significant hurdle for UjuziKilimo, as developing electronic devices and sophisticated technologies in Africa can be a complex and costly endeavor. However, with support from organizations like the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, UjuziKilimo has been able to overcome these obstacles and develop innovative solutions for smallholder farmers. Moving forward, Bosire emphasizes the need for continued access to capital to scale their impact and reach more farmers in need. In order to unlock more capital for young entrepreneurs like himself, Bosire calls for a transformation in the financial services system. Traditional banking systems often prioritize collateral, which many young people lack. Bosire advocates for a shift towards financing based on the impact and viability of a business idea, rather than the presence of physical assets. By reforming the financial services system to better support youth-led initiatives, Bosire believes that more young entrepreneurs can realize their dreams and drive positive change in the agricultural sector. Looking ahead, Bosire envisions a future where smallholder farmers across Kenya have access to UjuziKilimo's technology. By focusing on developing models that make their solutions more accessible to farmers, UjuziKilimo aims to reach 200,000 farmers within the next two years. This ambitious goal underscores Bosire's commitment to democratizing technology in agriculture and ensuring that even the most marginalized farmers can benefit from precision farming techniques. Through continuous iteration and innovation, UjuziKilimo is poised to make a lasting impact on the agricultural landscape in Kenya and beyond.