OLX strengthens agriculture business with farm input centers

Online advertising firm OLX has strengthened its agriculture business by opening two farm input centers in Nakuru and Nyandarua.

The input centers will help farmers access seeds and fertilizers which they purchase through the firm’s website.

OLX has partnered with Mavuno Technology, Osho Chemicals and Soil Cares to open the Kilimo Smart OLX centers with plans to open new stores as the business grows.

This is part of OLX’s diversification plan as it moves to grow revenues from its core advertising business.

OLX country manager Peter Ndiang’ui said farm inputs had been a challenge for farmers to access, with the Kilimo smart centers strategically set up across various regions to give farmers easy access to fertilizers among other inputs.

“In order to enable these farmers, generate more yields, it is important that right farm inputs are at their disposal. We are working with input partners Mavuno Technology, Osho Chemicals and Soil Cares to ensure farmers access quality inputs through our platform,” Mr Ndiang’ui said.

OLX has slowly been making inroads into the agricultural sector introducing  a section that allowed farmers to sell produce and livestock.

OLX opened in Kenya in 2012 as an online trading platform connecting buyers and sellers mostly of used items.

The service has slowly grown, with the firm even partnering with retailers to sell their wares on the site with 150,000 daily users.

Mr Ndiang’ui said that while most farmers are unable to access the internet, the service will be offered through a USSD code where they will be able to place their orders which are then sent to the centers for collection.

“OLX has expanded the agriculture category by not only providing farmers a platform to sell their products and livestock, it has also given them an opportunity to access farm inputs to increase yields,” he said.