NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 8 – Over the past six years, the Feed the Future Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS), a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), mobilized Sh26.5 billion to provide support to farmers nationwide.
Through a combination of USAID and private sector contributions, KCDMS played a pivotal role in revolutionizing and transforming agriculture in the country.
Commencing in 2017 and spanning a six-year duration until 2023, the program aimed to confront the challenges confronting the agricultural sector, seeking to provide solutions and enhance its overall performance.
According to Randy Smith, the Deputy Director of the Resilience and Food Security Center of Excellence at USAID Kenya and East Africa, 450,000 farmers were assisted in accessing new markets during this period.
Additionally, 180,000 children benefited from nutrition interventions facilitated by these funds.
“These results outline the scale of the impacts that KCDMS had in Kenya, the lives changed through the project,” Smith said.
The KCDMS project, executed through a cooperative agreement with Research Triangle Institute International in collaboration with East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA) and Farm Input Promotions (FIPS) Africa, targeted specific value chains such as dairy and horticulture (mango, passion fruit, avocado, banana, pineapple, and sweet potato).
The oversight of the endeavors was led by KCDMS Chief of Party, Dr. Robert Mwadime.
Emphasizing the reduction of macroeconomic shocks and their impact on vulnerable populations, addressing the global fertilizer shortage, and advocating for increased investments in agricultural capacity and resilience, the program demonstrated significant success in 12 out of the 47 counties in which it operated.
The selected counties included Kitui, Makueni, Taita-Taveta in the southeastern part of Kenya, and Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, and Vihiga in the western and Nyanza regions.
“What we have achieved in the past six years is remarkable. The impact we have made on farmers and generally in the agricultural sector is something we are proud of. The program has been a total success,” Mwadime said.
Mwadime noted that courtesy of KCDM’s contributions, fields in Kenya have flourished, farmers have experienced prosperity, and the nation’s agricultural prospects are brimming with promise.
KCDMS played a crucial role by implementing interventions that bolstered farmer productivity and income.
This was achieved through the expansion of soil testing services, increased adoption of improved inputs such as fertilizer and drought-tolerant crops (DTC) seeds, as well as the promotion of production, marketing, and consumption of rapidly growing nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, and poultry products.
“KCDMS has not only bolstered farmer incomes and created employment opportunities but also played a pivotal role in enhancing food security and supporting nutrition interventions for thousands of children and caregivers,” Mwadime said.
Following the completion of the six-year project, Mwadime disclosed that USAID has initiated a new endeavor focused on local food systems, primarily aimed at enhancing food quality within the country, particularly at the county level.
Another concurrent project is centered around private sector activities, intending to collaborate with the private sector to enhance their capacity for export, thereby augmenting county revenue.
Additionally, there is a project dedicated to water, with USAID aiming to establish water sources for production to enhance irrigation.
The initiative is crucial for ensuring continued high-quality crop production in the event of drought.
