The Drum: Kenyan charity creates app for African farmers

Haller, a charity operating in Kenya that promotes economic development, has unveiled an app with Pearlfisher designed to help first-generation African farmers and their children.

The Haller Farmers App, created with software workshop Red Badger, caters for multiple mobile devices, and is aimed at providing farming knowledge and techniques.

Jonathan Ford, Pearlfisher founding partner and chief creative officer, as well as a Haller UK trustee, commented: “Despite huge levels of poverty and illiteracy in places like Kenya, the vast majority of the population use mobile phones and smartphone penetration is expected to reach 31 per cent by 2017.

“We recognised that in this instance, digital design had the power to change these peoples’ lives for the better and so, in collaboration with Red Badger, we designed a simple, intuitive app that gives hands-on, relevant solutions to local farmers – helping them live better self-sustainable lives by transforming landscapes, growing food, improving water conservation and regenerating communities.”

He explained that the app looks to provide farmer training techniques in an easy, step-by-step format supported by photography and audio in both English and Swahili.

Louise Piper, Haller co-founder and trustee, added: “The idea behind this web app fits perfectly with the Haller approach – it releases potential with practical ideas that are collaborative, selfsustainable, empowering and resourceful.

“Our ambition is for this web app to go worldwide, used by farmers in any country and of any literacy level who are looking for practical, relevant solutions to release the potential of their land and community.

“We strongly believe this web app has the power to change the lives of these underprivileged communities but in order to make that a reality we rely on donations that will help us achieve our goal.”

The app is also transaction, letting users buy and sell goods they produce and develop a “nano-economy”.