Proparco Allocates Sh141 Million to Empower Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

Proparco and Equity Group Foundation have jointly launched the “Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems” (CRAFS) project with a funding of Sh141,260,000. This initiative aims to assist smallholder farmers in Kenya by promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The project is expected to benefit approximately 15,000 farmers annually by enhancing productivity and resilience to climate shocks, along with providing training and financial access.

Proparco has entered into a significant agreement with Equity Group, providing technical assistance of Sh141,260,000 to the Equity Group Foundation (EGF). This funding is aimed at implementing the “Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems” (CRAFS) project, designed to aid smallholder farmers in Kenya by promoting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

The signing ceremony took place in Nairobi, attended by notable figures including French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet, Proparco’s Regional Director for East Africa, Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, and Equity Group’s CEO, Dr. James Mwangi. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 30 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and providing about 45 percent of export earnings.

In rural areas, agriculture serves as the fundamental basis for livelihoods, supporting roughly 75 percent of rural communities and employing over 70 percent of the rural workforce, with women and youth comprising 60 percent. Through the CRAFS project, EGF aims to implement Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), enhancing productivity, resilience to climate changes, and minimizing agriculture-related emissions.

The project is set to provide training and financial access to approximately 15,000 farmers each year involved in livestock and crop value chains. Additionally, it will connect farmers with knowledge about energy usage, sustainable production methods, waste-to-energy initiatives, and water management. This holistic approach will ensure effective on-the-ground implementation with the assistance of a dedicated field team and supports the empowerment of farmers and micro-businesses within the value chain.

Ambassador Arnaud Suquet remarked on the essential role of agriculture in Kenya, which addresses employment, food security, and foreign currency earnings, highlighting the importance of the partnership between France’s Proparco and EGF to support SMEs and entrepreneurship. He further emphasized that this collaboration is crucial for local business growth across various sectors.

Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat expressed Proparco’s enthusiasm for strengthening its long-term partnership with Equity Group. He praised the efforts through the foundation in actionable change across agricultural sectors, from small farmers to innovation hubs, asserting that their technical support ensures a robust response to these needs.

Dr. James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Group, characterized the collaboration as a crucial stepping stone for communities and nations alike. He underscored the necessity of enabling farmers to adapt to climate changes through CSA, ultimately striving for increased productivity and a sustainable agricultural future. He committed that Equity Group will continue to support smallholder farmers in overcoming agricultural risks.

In conclusion, the partnership between Proparco and Equity Group Foundation represents a targeted initiative to uplift smallholder farmers in Kenya through sustainable agricultural practices. The CRAFS project not only seeks to enhance productivity and resilience of local farmers but also aims to foster broader economic development through effective training and resource access. The support for climate-smart agriculture symbolizes a commitment to long-term sustainability and community growth amidst environmental challenges.

Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke