KENYA | Semi-Arid Region Commercialization
World Vision Australia has supported Farm Concern International, FCI to commercialize 1,899 small holder farms in semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya and cause sales worth USD 154,948 in a span of 19 months.
Programme Summary
COMASS is an intervention under the Eastern Kenya Household Resilience Project (EKHRP) in which Farm Concern International and World Vision International - Kenya worked jointly to improve livelihoods through commercialization and market development of agri-commodities for household economic development in Mwala and Kalawa. Working directly with 7,320 households, the project created sustainable market linkages and savings mobilization for the smallholder farmers. The project, with support from AusAID and World Vision Australia implemented two Integrated Program Areas (IPAs) of Kalawa and Mwala of Eastern Kenya. The objective of COMASS programme was to enhance and sustain economic impact by facilitating access to existing and new profitable markets through commercialization, women empowerment and saving mobilization.
A baseline and market survey conducted by FCI identified opportunities for commercialization of green grams (Ks20 variety), tomatoes (Onnex, Coj Corazon varieties), and mangoes (Apple variety) in Kalawa IPA, and watermelon (Sukari F1), tomatoes (Onnex, Coj Corazon varieties), mangoes (Apple variety) and green grams (Ks20 variety) in Mwala IPA. The survey targeted informal markets of Machakos, Nyamakima, and Wakulima in Nairobi. The COMASS project worked with 10 formal and seven informal markets with 52 traders profiled and linked to CVs in the project site.
Highlights
Survey reveals high demand for green grams and tomatoes in Eastern and Nairobi regions
A market survey conducted by Farm Concern International (FCI) revealed that there are huge market opportunities for green grams and tomatoes within Eastern and Nairobi regions. At the inception of the Semi-Arid Region Commercialization Programme, FCI with support from World Vision Australia conducted a market assessment that was aimed at identifying market driven opportunities and viable enterprises for the communities. The survey revealed vast market opportunities in the domestic informal markets for pulses, vegetables and fruits..Read More
Programme rekindles hope for horticultural sector in Eastern Kenya
Research shows that horticultural crop production sector provides twice as much job opportunities per hectare compared to cereal crop production (Ali et al., 2002). The move from cereal production towards high-value horticulture crops is an important contributor to employment opportunities in developing countries (Joshi et al., 2003)...Read More
Exhibition creates sustainable market and business linkages to 540 smallholder farmers
Farm Concern International (FCI) and World Vision Kenya in partnership with International Centre for Agro Forestry (ICRAF) and the County Government of Machakos organized a Market Trade Fair in May 2014 that created sustainable market and business linkages to 540 smallholder farmers. The main purpose of the fair was to create sustainable business and market linkages amongst smallholder farmers, input service providers, financial service providers, traders and institutions...Read More
Commercial Villages in Eastern Kenya turned into saving schemes
The Semi-Arid Region Commercialization Programme implemented by World Vision Kenya and Farm Concern International with support from World Vision Australia has enabled 1,899 farmers form saving schemes and save over USD 35,729. This has increased farmers income base enabling them to meet their needs and invest for future. They are also able to get loans from these schemes at a fair interest of 10% per annum enabling them meet short and long term domestic needs.. Read More
Commercial Villages in Eastern Kenya Boosts Agri-business Activities
Commercial Villages (CVs) formed by Farm Concern International (FCI) in Mwala and Kalawa under the Semi- Arid Region Commercialization Programme implemented by World Vision Kenya and Farm Concern International with support from World Vision Australia have positively impacted stakeholders in the agri-business sector. The CVs have brought on board government institutions, research institutitions, development partners, input dealers, formal and informal markets, private sector, district assembly and local leaders.. Read more
Capacity Building in Eastern Kenya Results to Effective Savings Schemes
Smallholder farmers under the Semi- Arid Region Commercialization Programme implemented by World Vision Kenya and Farm Concern International with support from World Vision Australia have realized sales worth Ksh 11, 326, 337 (USDs 133,251.0) from April 2013 to July 2014 with 1,199 farmers benefiting. Savings worth Ksh 2,439,680 (USDs 28,702.1) have also been realized by 62 savings schemes established and linked to financial institutions such as Vision Fund, Wamunyu Financial Services and Equity Bank Foundation.. Read More
Case Studies
Eastern region farmers reaping millions from sales through commercial village business
Farmers in Eastern region, have reaped millions of shillings from sales of green grams, tomatoes, water melons and onions amounting to Ksh. 1,306,080 through Farm Concern International’s (FCI) Commercial Village Business Forums (VBFs) conducted in Mwala, Vyulya and Mango, where 247 farmers were linked to 6 informal traders from Machakos... Read More
Makueni farmers post impressive sales from green grams and cowpeas
The Semi- Arid Region Commercialization Programme implemented by World Vision Kenya and Farm Concern International with support from World Vision Australia enabled smallholder farmers in Kalawa and Mwala to post impressive sales in the month of June. In Kalawa, sales worth Ksh 921,970 were realized in while in Mwala, farmers managed to make sales worth 319,450. Farmers made the sales primarily from the sale of green grams, tomatoes and cowpeas in Kalawa and tomatoes, watermelons and onions in Mwala..Read More
Commercial Villages in Eastern Kenya record 73% price increase for green grams
The Semi- Arid Region Commercialization Programme implemented by World Vision Kenya and Farm Concern International with support from World Vision Australia has enabled over 1,899 small holder farmers in Mwala and Kalawa record a price increase of up to 73 % for green grams. The prices of green grams increased from an average of USD 0.61 (KES 52.00) in April 2013 to USD 1.05 (KES. 90) per Kg in June 2014 in Kalawa as a result of improved production methods, collective action and market linkages promoted by Farm Concern International..Read More
Miangeni Commercial Village realizes 20% price increase due to market linkage efforts
Sometimes, you just need a little push from outside to realize your full potential. This is the case for Miangeni Commercial Village (CV), one among several villages that World Vision Kenya (WVK) and Farm Concern International (FCI) have partnered with under the Semi- Arid Commercialization Programme.The main objective of the partnership was to improve the livelihood of farmers through increased production, adoption of new farming technologies and market linkages..Read More
61 year-old smallholder farmer records 300% income increase
Mr. Wambua Ndonye, a 61 year-old farmer, a father of five and a resident of Mwala in Eastern Kenya had been planting maize and beans in his four acres of land for many years until he crossed paths with the Semi- Arid Region Commercialization Programme implemented by World Vision Kenya and Farm Concern International with support from World Vision Australia. Mr. Ndonye had only been producing enough from his staple crops for home consumption with mangoes being the major commercial plant...Read More
FCI Programmes
FCI VISION :Commercialized smallholder communities with increased incomes for improved, stabilized & sustainable livelihoods in Africa and beyond.