NAIROBI, Kenya — Listed agribusiness company Kakuzi Plc is accelerating the adoption of agricultural technology (Ag-Tech) as it seeks to strengthen climate resilience, improve operational efficiency and support sustainable farming practices across its operations.
Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers said the company had established a fully fledged Digital Agricultural Transformation Department to coordinate and accelerate the adoption of technology across its agricultural operations.
The department, headed by a Digital Agricultural Transformation Manager, will lead the implementation of technology-driven solutions as Kakuzi transitions towards more climate-smart and resilient agricultural practices.
Flowers said the company was increasingly turning to technology as changing weather patterns create new challenges for agricultural production.
“The Kakuzi Ag-Tech journey is firmly on course and is anchored on several sustainability initiatives and resilient agronomy practices that we continue to embed across all operations,” Flowers said.
He added that the changing climate made technological innovation increasingly important to the future of agriculture.
“As we face more and more uncertainty and unpredictability in our traditional climatic patterns, it is essential that agriculture adapts and adopts new technology,” he said.
AI and data analytics in farming
Kakuzi is deploying artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics to strengthen decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
The technologies are expected to help the company generate and analyse data that can support more informed decisions across various stages of agricultural production.
At Kakuzi’s Macadamia Processing Plant, the company has introduced an AI-powered Intelligent Optical Sorting system that automates the grading of macadamia nuts.
The system is designed to improve the accuracy and consistency of nut grading while enhancing production quality and processing efficiency.
The adoption of automated sorting technology is part of Kakuzi’s broader strategy to integrate digital tools into its agricultural value chains.
Technology-driven climate resilience
Beyond processing, Kakuzi is deploying advanced Ag-Tech solutions across its farms to support field operations and strengthen the resilience of its agricultural activities.
The company is also expanding the use of drone-based security surveillance systems, providing an additional layer of monitoring across its agricultural operations.
Kakuzi said the combination of digital technology, data-driven decision-making and resilient agronomy practices would play an increasingly important role as the agricultural sector responds to climate variability.
The company’s investment in Ag-Tech forms part of its wider sustainability strategy, with technology expected to help improve resource management, operational efficiency and productivity while supporting adaptation to changing climatic conditions.
As climate change continues to affect rainfall patterns, temperatures and agricultural production cycles, the adoption of digital tools is increasingly becoming a key component of modern farming.
