Empowering Sustainable Development through Digital Platforms: The Story of Lennson Mumo
This year’s International Youth Day celebrated on 12th August 2024 focuses on the relationship between digitization and the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the significant role young people play in this process. The celebrations highlight how young individuals use technologies like mobile devices, digital platforms, and innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive, change and impact the SDGs.
The Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) Project supports local efforts to improve nutrition for vulnerable populations in secondary cities in Kenya; specifically Bungoma and Busia. By collaborating with the agricultural, food, and health sectors, as well as public-private partnerships, the NICE project contributes to six of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Here is the story of Lennson Mumo, a young farmer from Bungoma County who uses digital media avenues such as Tiktok to drive the SGDs agenda.
When TikTok talks chick work
Lennson Mumo from Kibabii Lumasa is the founder of Neo Hen Farmers’ Hub. In 2018, before the NICE project, he started with 50 chicks and gradually increased his flock to 1000 birds. At any one time, he now employs up to 20 casual workers, depending on demand. To expand his operations further, he acquired a plot of land and built a new barn. Thanks to the NICE project, he has received a second small grant after achieving great success with his first one. (https://nice.ethz.ch/small-steps-feather-nests/ )
Lennson’s passion for poultry stems from watching his mother breed indigenous Kienyeji chicken. After graduating from university, Lennson decided to launch his own business. He attributes part of his success to a strong presence on digital platforms (see screenshot).
“I reach most of my farmers on TikTok, where I post educational material about poultry rearing. Further, I also connect digitally with some clients who buy from me directly.”
Lennson Mumo, Founder and owner of Neo Hen Farmers’ Hub
For many poultry farmers, the high cost of feed can be a headache. Lennson has tackled this hurdle by increasing the size of his flock. As a result, he can now reliably supply about 500 farmers. Between January and April 2024, for example, he sold about 960 chickens and 9500 chicks of various ages. When he gets the right incubator, Lennson plans to considerably increase his hatching business.