Sponsored Digital
Extension Service
A farmer-first model that delivers free, trusted agricultural advisories at scale — funded by sponsors who believe in rural prosperity.
80,000+
Farmers Reached
SMS
Primary Channel
KALRO
Trusted Sources
2-Way
Farmer Engagement
Agricultural Extension,
Reimagined for Scale
The Sponsored Digital Extension Service (SDES) is Agriventa's innovative agricultural extension model designed to provide farmers with free, timely, and practical farming information through digital channels, primarily SMS.
The model addresses the challenge of limited access to agricultural extension services by using technology to deliver trusted advice to farmers at scale — including those in remote areas with limited internet connectivity.
SDES works by partnering with agribusinesses, agricultural technology companies, financial institutions, development organizations, and other stakeholders who sponsor the delivery of agricultural advisory services. Through these partnerships, farmers receive valuable extension information at no cost, while sponsors gain a credible platform to educate, engage, and connect with relevant farming communities.
The Challenge
Millions of smallholder farmers lack access to timely, reliable agricultural extension services. Traditional models are costly, slow, and unable to reach remote communities at scale.
The SDES Solution
SDES leverages SMS technology and a sponsor-funded model to deliver expert advisories directly to farmers' phones — free, practical, and available even without internet access.
The Outcome
Farmers improve productivity and profitability. Sponsors build brand trust and farmer relationships. Agricultural institutions achieve wider dissemination of research-based recommendations.
How SDES Works
From trusted research institutions to farmers' phones — a seamless, sponsor-powered pipeline.
Step 1
Trusted Knowledge Sources
Approved agricultural recommendations are sourced from KALRO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and other recognized research and extension institutions.
Step 2
AI-Assisted Content Adaptation
Using AI-assisted content adaptation and expert review processes, technical information is transformed into simple, actionable, and farmer-friendly advisories.
Step 3
Sponsor Funding
Agribusinesses, agri-tech companies, financial institutions, and development organizations sponsor delivery costs — integrating their brand visibility within useful extension content.
Step 4
SMS Delivery to Farmers
Farmer-friendly advisories are delivered via SMS throughout the agricultural production cycle, reaching even remote farmers without internet connectivity.
Step 5
Two-Way Engagement
Farmers can respond, ask questions, participate in surveys, provide feedback, and express interest in agricultural solutions — creating valuable data and insights.
Sample SDES Advisory SMS
Agriventa Advisory
SMS · Just now
Ushauri wa Septemba: Wakati berries zinaendelea kukua, dumisha balanced nutrition ukizingatia potassium kwa ajili ya bean filling. Tumia fertilizer rates zinazopendekezwa baada ya soil testing. Farmchoice karibu nawe hutoa fertilizer options kusaidia coffee production yenye ubora na usimamizi endelevu wa shamba.
Ushauri wa Juni: Chunguza majani ya kahawa kuona dalili za nutrient deficiencies kama kubadilika rangi au ukuaji hafifu. Tumia foliar feeds yenye zinc na boron pale upungufu unapothibitishwa, kwa mfano 40–60 g kwa 20 L water kulingana na ushauri. Farmchoice hutoa micronutrient solutions kwa wakulima.
Sponsored by Farmchoice — Supporting Kenyan Farmers
Advisory Topics Covered
SDES provides farmers with information throughout the entire agricultural production cycle — from land preparation to market access.
The service can also provide targeted advisories based on farmer profiles, including location, crop, livestock enterprise, and farming stage.
Location-aware advisories — farmers across Nandi County sub-counties (Aldai, Chesumei, Emgwen, Mosop, Nandi Hills, and Tindiret) receive sub-county-specific guidance relevant to their local conditions.
Land Preparation
Soil testing, tillage, and pre-planting guidance
Planting
Seed selection, spacing, and timing advisories
Crop & Livestock Management
Growth stage monitoring and care practices
Nutrition
Fertilizer application and soil health guidance
Pest & Disease Control
Early alerts and recommended interventions
Weather Preparedness
Seasonal forecasts and climate-smart practices
Harvesting
Optimal harvest timing and techniques
Post-Harvest Handling
Storage, grading, and loss reduction
Market Opportunities
Price information and buyer connections
Agricultural Solutions
Access to inputs, finance, and technology
A Sustainable Model for All
SDES creates a virtuous cycle where every stakeholder benefits — farmers, sponsors, institutions, and Agriventa.
Farmers
Free, reliable, timely knowledge
- Free agricultural advisories via SMS
- Practical, actionable guidance
- Coverage across the full production cycle
- Two-way engagement — ask questions & give feedback
- Access to relevant agricultural solutions
Sponsors
Reach engaged farmer communities
- Brand awareness among 80,000+ farmers
- Farmer trust through extension association
- Product understanding and education
- Direct customer engagement
- Measurable campaign insights and data
Agricultural Institutions
Wider research dissemination
- Broader reach for research-based recommendations
- Faster adoption of best practices
- Direct farmer feedback on advisories
- Credible, trusted delivery channel
- Measurable extension impact
Agriventa
Technology & platform provider
- Technology and farmer network
- Content delivery and adaptation
- Engagement platform for all stakeholders
- AI-assisted advisory creation
- Data and insights generation
Beyond Traditional Advertising
SDES is not a bulk SMS service. It's a farmer-first communication platform where sponsors contribute to agricultural development while building genuine brand trust.
Traditional Bulk SMS
- Promotional messages farmers ignore
- No agricultural value to the recipient
- Low trust and engagement rates
- One-way broadcast only
- No targeting by crop or location
SDES Sponsorship
- Advisories farmers actively value and trust
- Brand embedded in genuinely helpful content
- High engagement from interested farmers
- Two-way interaction and farmer responses
- Targeted by crop, location, and farming stage
Farmer-First Approach
Unlike traditional advertising, SDES integrates sponsor visibility within useful agricultural extension content. Companies contribute to solving farmers' challenges through education and support — not just promotion.
Trusted Channel
Advisories are sourced from KALRO, the Ministry of Agriculture, and other recognized institutions. Sponsors benefit from association with a credible, expert-backed extension service.
Measurable Campaign Insights
Track delivery rates, farmer engagement, response rates, and campaign performance. SDES provides data-driven insights that help organizations understand farmer needs and improve their services.
Two-Way Engagement
Farmers can respond, ask questions, participate in surveys, and express interest in agricultural solutions — creating valuable leads and direct engagement opportunities for sponsors.
Targeted Reach
Reach specific farmer segments by location, crop type, livestock enterprise, or farming stage. Deliver relevant messages to the right farmers at the right time in their production cycle.
Scalable Impact
Access Agriventa's network of 80,000+ farmers across Kenya. Scale your reach as your partnership grows, with flexible sponsorship tiers designed for organizations of all sizes.
Ready to Sponsor SDES?
Through SDES, Agriventa is transforming agricultural extension from a limited, one-way information service into a scalable, interactive, and sustainable digital ecosystem.
Join us in supporting improved farmer productivity, profitability, market access, and sustainable farming — while building meaningful brand presence in Kenya's agricultural sector.