It’s not unusual to hear of operators using renewable energy, but in Kenya Sistema.bio, a biogas and regenerative agriculture platform, and operator Safaricom appear to be donating it to farmers.
Following a partnership with Sistema.bio, Safaricom’s farmer customers can now redeem their Bonga Points – points won via a loyalty programme – to acquire biodigesters. They can also donate points to other farmers across Kenya.
A biodigester uses microorganisms to break down organic waste, producing biogas (a renewable energy source) and a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
In this case, under the banner ‘Bonga for Biogas’, the partnership seeks to empower smallholder farmers with renewable energy by turning livestock waste into clean biogas and organic fertiliser, while reducing methane emissions, improving food security and advancing gender equity.
As for how the system works, every Safaricom customer earns Bonga Points through their everyday usage of the network or M-Pesa. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, including airtime, data bundles, SMS, merchandise, and even donations to charitable causes.
Through this campaign, farming customers can now redeem their Bonga Points to directly acquire biodigesters by dialling a special number. This will help them to generate clean energy on their farms.
Alternatively they can donate their Bonga Points to support other farmers who qualify for assistance, expanding the reach of clean energy solutions across communities. In addition organisations are being invited to contribute by donating their Bonga Points to farmers in need.
The three-year campaign aims to accelerate access to clean energy for smallholder farmers.
Sistema.bio says it is dedicated to empowering family farmers by providing access to innovative biodigester technology, training, and financing. Working together with farmers worldwide in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, Sistema.bio says it delivers high-quality carbon mitigation, and climate change adaptation programmes backed by measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) supported by IoT.
