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Kenya Launches Digital Platform to Revolutionize Farming, Cut Losses, and Boost Incomes.

 Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for the
State Department for Industry

 Nairobi, Kenya, By George Mutua. 

In a major step toward modernizing its agricultural sector, Kenya today officially launched the Electronic Warehouse Receipt System Central Registry (eWRS-CR), a landmark digital platform designed to curb post-harvest losses and unlock crucial financing for the nation’s millions of smallholder farmers.

The platform, launched by the Warehouse Receipt System Council (WRSC) in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and with funding from the British High Commission (BHC) in Nairobi, creates a secure, government-owned digital hub that automates and centralizes the management of warehouse receipts.

This system allows farmers to store their produce in certified warehouses and receive an electronic receipt as proof of ownership. This receipt can then be used as collateral to secure loans from financial institutions, allowing farmers to avoid the cycle of distress selling immediately after harvest when prices are typically at their lowest.

Mr. Patrick Mbogo,The Chairman of
 the Warehouse Receipt System Council

Officiating the launch, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Industry, hailed the platform as a "confidence-building intervention" that will empower farmers and attract private investment.

“The e-WRS Central Registry is not merely a technology platform; it is a confidence-building intervention designed to catalyse participation across the agricultural value chain,” said Dr. Mukhwana. “By enhancing transparency, strengthening trust, and enabling access to finance, this system empowers farmers, attracts private sector investment, and contributes to Kenya’s broader economic transformation.”

Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy, with smallholder farmers contributing over 75% of national output. However, the sector has long been stifled by two major challenges: a severe lack of access to credit, with less than 5% of bank lending going to agriculture, and staggering post-harvest losses, which can reach 30-40% for some commodities. The eWRS-CR directly tackles both issues by transforming harvested crops into a viable financial asset.


The Chairman of the Warehouse Receipt System Council, Mr. Patrick Mbogo, described the launch as a defining moment for the country's agricultural marketing systems. “This platform strengthens trust among market participants, enhances commodity security, and unlocks access to financing for farmers and agribusinesses. It lays a firm foundation for structured agricultural trade and positions Kenya as a regional leader in agricultural market innovation,” Mr. Mbogo said.

The system is already operational and gaining traction. According to Lucy Komen, Ag. CEO and Registrar of the WRSC, 114 warehouse receipts have been registered for nearly 600,000 kilograms of deposited commodities, demonstrating the system's readiness and early adoption by the private sector.

“We are encouraged by the private sector’s growing embrace of warehouse operations, which is critical to the success of the system,” said Ms. Komen. “The structured market systems enable farmers to focus on production while ensuring their commodities are safely stored, financed, and traded within a structured and secure marketplace.”

The benefits extend beyond Kenya's borders. TradeMark Africa’s Kenya Country Director, Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, framed the initiative as a foundational step for seamless regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She explained that by making goods traceable and "trade-ready" at the source, the system prevents delays later in the supply chain.

“Seamless borders do not begin at the crossing point. They begin long before a pickup or a lorry reaches the border. They begin at source,” said Ms. Mwai-Ndegwa. “Systems like the Electronic Warehouse Receipt platform ensure that commodities are traceable, trusted and trade-ready from the moment they enter the value chain.”

The British High Commission's Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director, Diana Dalton, highlighted the tangible impact on farmers' daily lives, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to the partnership. “Kenya and the UK are injecting innovation into agriculture. Not only does this system put more money into farmers pockets, but it also means produce like maize can be used to take out a short-term loan to pay school fees, without a farmer selling their produce at a cheaper price,” Ms. Dalton said.

The launch of the eWRS-CR signals Kenya’s transition from pilot programs to a national, structured agricultural trading system, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to build a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive agricultural economy.

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