Towards an inclusive and efficient private sector investment in agrifood systems
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM with the support of the Italian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation conducted a project close-out workshop in Kisumu, Kenya on June 9, 2022.
The workshop provided a platform for various stakeholders to share experiences and investment opportunities in aquaculture and the African indigenous vegetables (AIVs).
AgrInvest has been implemented over the past 2.5 years in four African countries; Kenya, Burkina Faso; Ethiopia; and Niger. In Kenya, the project focused on aquaculture and AIVs sectors due to their potential in contributing to food and nutrition security and rural employment for women and the youth.
The project is aimed at mobilizing private sector investment in agriculture aligned with the SDG’s that contribute to economic growth, generate employment in rural economies – particularly for women and youth, improve livelihoods, promote gender equality and reduce poverty. The overall impact of the project is reduced food insecurity and increased employment and income generation, with an overarching goal of a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable agrifood systems.
In her opening remarks, FAO Kenya Country Representative, Carla Mucavi while appreciating the partnership with Nyamira County on the extension support provided to the women farmers, called on other counties in the region that have prioritized AIVs to embrace a similar system to support farmers with the necessary extension, thereby facilitating more stable markets.
“It is our desire that through capacity building and development of strategic partnerships with key players in the value chain, sustainability will be achieved and maintained,” she said.
Improved income and stable markets for AIVs.
The project supported the Nyamira North Women Sacco, a women-led Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) to grow and sell indigenous vegetables to a private food processor, Mace Foods, establishing formal contractual arrangements. Mace Foods is a processing company based in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county that sources for indigenous vegetables, dehydrates and sells them to local as well as international markets.
AgrInvest-FS in partnership with the County Government of Nyamira supported the women Sacco to achieve consistent supply of vegetables by ensuring adequate planning of production schedules and good agronomic practices. The project has linked the Sacco with business incubators that will support them commercialize their business and acquire key assets like refrigeration equipment.
The women Sacco has successfully delivered about 20MT of vegetables over the last 18months, generating an income of over 1.5 million shillings, with an increased demand in the market that requires more investment into the value chain due to guaranteed market as well as predictable volumes and prices.
Towards investment in Aquaculture
In aquaculture, AgrInvest supported the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) to host an aquaculture investment dialogue with the region’s leadership, focusing on how public sector investment can attract investment in the private sector. The LREB was to engage the local leadership on aquaculture investment dialogue resulting in a joint communique. The communique which spells out a 10-point agenda on aquaculture investment was signed by LREB Chairman, Governor Kakamega County, Wycliffe Oparanya, CS Agriculture, Hon. Peter Munya and the former LREB CEO, Abala Wanga.
On increasing ventures for Public Private Partnership (PPP), AgrInvest supported Kisumu County through the Kisumu Lakefront Development Corporation (KLDC) to engage in a public- private- community partnership (PPCP) with local fish entrepreneurs to mobilize investment of up to $ 1M in aquaculture.
Through this venture, it is expected that, there will be improved efficiency for out growers in terms of input, market, financial and technical assistance access; business expansion thereby creating more opportunities for income and employment generation; as well as increased efficiency in the value chain, creating opportunities for both blue and green economies in the region.
For Further Information, please contact;
Pauline Akolo,
Communication Specialist,
Email: [email protected]