Impact

When Eric Kairo planted his first onions in 2011, he was working with just a quarter acre of land under a rain fed farming system. Like many smallholder farmers, his biggest challenge was water. Without a farm pond or irrigation infrastructure, his harvests depended entirely on rainfall, often unpredictable and unreliable.

Despite these constraints, Eric persevered. That first season, he harvested three tons of onions and earned KES 180,000, selling at KES 60 per unit. It was a promising start, but he knew that to grow further, he needed a more reliable water source.

Read full story

Kenya’s coffee sector is undergoing a deliberate transformation, one anchored in science, innovation, and strong partnerships with farmers. At the centre of this effort is the Coffee Research Institute (CRI), one of the institutes under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).

According to Dr. Cecilia Kathurima, Chief Research Scientist at CRI, the Institute plays a critical role across the entire coffee value chain.

“We work with farmers from seed to cup,” she explains. “Our mandate is to ensure that every stage of coffee production, from planting to processing, meets the highest standards of quality, productivity, and sustainability.”.

Read full story

For many years, George Kirato Kimani earned his living in the matatu business, travelling long distances between Nairobi, Kisii, and Narok. The work was demanding, unpredictable, and kept him away from home for long stretches. Over time, George began to reflect on his future and made a bold decision that would change his life.

He left the transport business and turned his attention to farming.

Read full story

In August 2023, a small but ambitious idea took root in Kikuyu Ward. What began as a community Sacco of just 20 members has grown into a strong, people-centred financial institution that today serves nearly 400 members. At the heart of this transformation is Samuel Jenga Kihanya, Chairperson of the Kikuyu Ward Community Sacco.

“We started small,” Samuel recalls. “But the need in the community was clear. People wanted a place they could trust something owned by the community, for the community.”

Today, the Sacco has over 390 members, with numbers continuing to rise as more residents seek affordable and accessible financial services.

Read full story

In Gathaithi Village, determination and smart investment in water management have transformed Sara Njeri Gikonyo’ssmall plot of land into a reliable source of income and opportunity. Like many smallholder farmers, Sara started farming on a small scale and quickly encountered one major challenge, access to water.

“Water was my biggest problem,” Sara recalls. “I could not farm consistently.”

Read full story

In 2022, a shared vision to create a sustainable financial platform for farmer groups gave birth to Sigona Muungano Sacco. The Sacco was formed to support Common Interest Groups (CIGs) that had initially been funded under NARIGP, ensuring continuity, sustainability, and long-term access to financial services beyond project cycles.

According to Ngige Kariuki, Chairman of Sigona Muungano Sacco, the transition to a fully-fledged Sacco marked an important milestone for the community.

“Our idea was to create a sustainable platform for the CIGs,” he explains. “Fortunately, our proposal was adopted by NAVCDP, and we received an inclusion grant of KES 1 million, which laid a strong foundation for our operations.”

Read full story