MMUST Agri-Innovators Win Trip to Estonia for Global Exchange as Tech for Agriculture Hackathon Comes to a Successful End
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology innovators are set to travel to Estonia next year for a week-long global innovation exchange, following the success of their award-winning agrifin-tech solution, ‘Farmula 1’. This comes after the five-person student team comprising Mr. Larry Okumu, Mr. Delstarford Isaiah, Mr. Said Charo Kombe, Ms. Susan Maina, Ms. Daphine Lucas, and Ms. Gloria Mayoyo developed the solution in 48hours in the just-concluded ‘Tech for Agriculture Hackathon’, which took place from 6th to 9th November, 2025 in Kisumu County. Farmula 1 is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool that is set to revolutionize how farmers and financial institutions manage agricultural risk.
The team lead, Mr. Larry Okumu pitch the group’s innovation.
The team successfully competed against over 100 participating organizations and institutions of higher learning and secured the second position, bringing home a silver medal. In addition to the educational trip, the team was awarded a six-month mentorship and training opportunity, dubbed the ‘Accelerator Program’, which includes chances to pitch their innovation to international investors. As a major component of the Estonian exchange, the innovators will have the chance to secure up to €50,000 in grant funding to establish their start-up on a global scale. The hackathon was organized by Garage 48, AfriFortified, and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).
Speaking to DCCM on the competitions, the team lead, Mr. Larry Okumu highlighted the challenge of the hackathon, saying that they were tasked with conceptualizing a solution, developing an idea, and actualizing it into a functional prototype pitch for potential investors within 48 hours. Despite the tight deadline, Mr. Okumu expressed the team’s joy, stating that they were very proud of the opportunity to represent MMUST through the MMUST Innovation Academy in such a high-level event.
Innovators during one of the sessions.
“Our group developed the Farmula 1, which is a platform that helps to de-risk farmers by analyzing potential yield losses. The tool helps farmers to detect pests and diseases that may affect their yield, predict expected yield losses, and then provides them with recommendations on what to do to minimize losses on their farms. Additionally, this solution furnishes insurance companies with data they can use to de-risk farmers and offer compensation premiums in the event of losses,” he explained.
By Caren Nekesa
