15,000 Kenyan Farmers Transition to Climate-Smart Farming
Training, financial access, and knowledge exchange are part of the CRAFS project.
The African country predominantly relies on agriculture, and preparing farmers to become climate-resilient will help them overcome adversities and sustain their livelihoods.
France-based development finance institution Proparco has partnered with the Equity Group Foundation (EGF) to provide the latter with €1 million in technical assistance to support Kenyan farmers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
The proceeds will be used for the Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) project, aimed at improving productivity in agriculture, increasing resilience to human-induced climate crises, and reducing environmental impact.
Agriculture accounts for approximately 30% of Kenya's GDP and 45% of its export earnings, playing a constructive role in building the country's economy. Most people, about 75% of the population, reside in rural areas, where they make up 70% of rural workers, including 60% women and youth.
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Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, Proparco’s Regional Director for East Africa, commented: “Proparco is very pleased to strengthen its partnership with a long-standing client and leading player on the African continent, Equity Group. Through its Foundation, Equity participates in concrete change by supporting Kenyan actors in agriculture, from small farmers to innovators. Our technical support backs this approach, and we thank EGF for its trust!”
EGF, the social wing of Equity Group Holdings, leads the CRAFS project, which provides training, financial access, and knowledge exchange to support farmers in adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). The project will target 15,000 farmers annually engaged in livestock and crop value chains. The focus will be on sustainable production, waste-to-energy solutions, water harvesting, and energy-efficient practices.
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To this end, a dedicated team is on standby to supervise on-the-ground implementation and suppliers and value chain partners will help farmers and small businesses adopt these practices.
Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, said: “This partnership with Proparco is another milestone in a journey of people and nations. It’s about farmers, families, communities and nations gaining the knowledge and support to thrive in a changing world.
"By embracing Climate-Smart Agriculture, we will empower farmers to increase their productivity, build resilience against climate shocks, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Smallholder farmers need support to mitigate agricultural risks, and we are committed to helping them navigate these challenges."
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Source: Proparco
