Gates Foundation Visit Showcases Impact of Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiatives Under NAVCDP in Kiambu County

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Gates Foundation Visit Showcases Impact of Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiatives Under NAVCDP in Kiambu County

NEWS / Tue, 03/31/2026 - 14:25

A delegation from the Gates Foundation visited Kiambu County on 30th March 2026 to assess progress and impact of women’s economic empowerment initiatives under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), with a particular focus on the BRIDGES programme. The visit brought together representatives from the World Bank, the Government of Kenya, county leadership, and implementing partners, providing a platform to observe firsthand how investments in agricultural financing, digital systems, and market access are transforming rural livelihoods, especially for women.

From Policy to Practice: Engaging Farmers on the Ground

The visit began with a field engagement at a smallholder farm in Limuru, where the delegation interacted with a local farmer and her household. The session provided insights into how farmer-level interventions, ranging from access to credit and inputs to participation in farmer groups, are shaping productivity, income stability, and decision-making at the household level. Discussions focused on gender dynamics, access to markets, and the role of collective institutions such as Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in strengthening resilience among women farmers. This interaction underscored a key message: sustainable agricultural transformation begins at the household level, supported by strong institutional linkages.

Cooperatives as Engines of Market Access and Value Addition

The delegation proceeded to the Limuru Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society, where members observed how cooperative-led systems are enhancing market access, value addition, and service delivery for farmers. With over 11,000 members, the cooperative has evolved into a key agribusiness hub, offering milk collection, processing, input supply, and extension services.

Investments supported through NAVCDP and earlier programmes have enabled:


• Expansion of milk processing capacity

• Introduction of value-added products such as yoghurt and extended shelf-life milk

• Digitization of operations through integrated ERP systems

• Improved and timely payments to farmers

The cooperative model demonstrated how organized farmer institutions can aggregate production, stabilize markets, and increase farmer incomes, particularly benefiting smallholder and women farmers.

Digital Innovation Driving Agricultural Transformation

The visit culminated at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), where the delegation engaged in discussions on digital agriculture and data-driven decision-making.

Key highlights included:


• The Big Data Platform supporting farmer registration and profiling

• Integration of SACCO and FPO data into national systems

• Digital advisory tools supporting farmers with real-time information

• Innovation platforms showcasing agri-tech solutions

During the digital platforms expo, partners such as Digicow, Amtech, SunCulture, and Kaleidofin demonstrated how technology is improving productivity, access to finance, and climate resilience for smallholder farmers.

These innovations are part of the broader BRIDGES initiative, which aims to build digitally enabled, gender-equitable rural institutions that connect farmers, especially women, to finance and markets at scale. The BRIDGES programme, supported by the Gates Foundation in collaboration with the World Bank, KALRO, CGAP, and the Government of Kenya, is designed to strengthen SACCOs and FPOs as core rural institutions.

Key achievements to date include:


• Digitization of over 800 SACCOs and 350 FPOs

• Creation of data systems to support financial access and decision-making

• Women comprising nearly half of SACCO membership and receiving over half of all loans

• Expanded income opportunities through integrated financial and market systems

The programme is projected to benefit approximately 6.4 million farmers across all 47 counties, with a strong focus on women’s inclusion and leadership.

A Shared Commitment to Scaled Impact

The Gates Foundation visit reaffirmed the importance of partnerships in driving agricultural transformation. By aligning investments in financing, digital systems, and institutional strengthening, programmes such as NAVCDP and BRIDGES are creating sustainable pathways for improving livelihoods. The visit concluded with a shared recognition that empowering women farmers is central to achieving food security, economic growth, and resilient rural economies. As Kenya continues to scale these interventions, the focus remains on building strong, inclusive systems that deliver lasting impact for farmers, communities, and value chains across the country.