Economic Growth Kenya Project #32068

Enable 1500 Kenyan Rural Farmers for Agribusiness

by The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust - Kenya

Enable 1500 Kenyan Rural Farmers for Agribusiness

Project Report | Sep 17, 2018
Building the Farmers' Cooperative

By Calvins Odoyo | Project Coodinator

PROJECT SUMMARY

Over the last three months the project has made great progress in enrolling farmers into TMT cooperative society, constructing the grain Silo, training farmers on agribusiness, linking farmers to county government of Homabay for continuous technical support and conducting consultative meetings with community leaders.

Activity Progress

Enrolling farmers to Cooperative society.

The organization enrolled 273 farmers into the cooperative society and has since supported three meetings. The meetings were also attended by representative of Homabay County government, The Mango Tree Staff, and Community Development Support Committee. During the meeting, the CDSC members gave an update of the ongoing mobilization towards sorghum and maize farming. So far, they have reached another 417 community members with information on the importance of joining cooperative society. They also educated farmers on the improved grain storage techniques. The cooperative members also continued to promote table banking.

Grain Silo Construction

The construction of the grain Silo gained momentum in the last one month after heavy rains and floods washed away feeder roads connecting quarries to FTC. As a result, the cost of building materials and their transportation was exceedingly high. Consequently, the organization was forced to suspend the construction until the end of the rainy season to maintain the budget estimates. So far the both the floor and the walls have been done.

Collection of grains

The Mango Tree through its field officers collected and delivered two tons of sorghum from the registered farmers to East African Breweries limited. It’s expected that each farmer will receive his pay before the end of next month (September 2018). The organization will distribute sorghum seeds for the next season early next year (2019)

Training farmers on Agribusiness

In order to build the capacity of farmers towards a rewarding agriculture, the organization trained 73 farmers, most of who are already registered with the cooperative, on value addition to crop farming, bee keeping, and dairy goat rearing and grafted Mango farming. With these skill, the farmers are in a position to diversify their agriculture venture and minimize losses during inter-season weather conditions.

Challenges faced and way forward

Extended rainy season washed away feeder roads thus hampering transportation of building material to the construction site. As a result, the organization temporarily suspended the construction which has since resumed.

Next Quarters Activity

1. Complete the construction of the grain Silo

2. Train 500 farmers on agribusiness

3. Support monthly farmers meeting

4. Establish the Famers cooperative office

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Jun 8, 2018
Enable1500 Kenya Rural Farmers for Agribusiness

By Consolata Achieng Norbert | Director

construction Picture1

I. PROJECT SUMMARY The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust Kenya is currently implementing a rural agribusiness project to enable 1500 farmers acquire a sustainable livelihood. The project is supported through global giving crowdfunding. The project is estimated to cost USD 35,714, so far USD 9,166 has been raised. The project targets 1500 farmers living in Wangchieng location of Homa-Bay County- Kenya. The project aims to: 1) Build silo storage for grains 2) A digital based farmers’ information management system and resource center will be developed and mobile-phones linked for timely feedback and information dissemination 3) Purchase a tractor for cultivation and transport. 4) Cold storage, cottage-industry size processing plants for honey, fruits and peanut butter will be installed. 5) Complete its existing farmers’ training center and additional hostels In the order of priority. Having received USD 9,166 in the month of May 2018, the organization initiated the construction of a silo storage for grains at the farmers training center and identifying fifty (50) farmers beneficiary to be trained on Famers’ Information Management System (FIMS) 2. Activity Progress 2.1 Community Engagement Meeting The organization conducted two (2) meetings to inform the community about the fund disbursement and guide them set priority activity. The first meeting took place at Rakwaro chiefs Camp where the village volunteers agreed that the grain Silo need to constructed urgently in preparation for the harvesting session in a month’s time. The volunteers also agreed to mobilize the entire community store their millet, maize and beans. This they view will reduce chances of farmers selling their grains at a throw away price. The second meeting attended by Community Development Support Committee took place at Mawego Farmers Training Center. CDSC is a farmers committee which advises the organization on livelihood initiatives. They also play a key role in mobilizing fellow farmers towards a common goal. This meeting discussed the sustainability aspect of the project and agreed to register all farmers into The Mango Tree cooperative through which they will contribute towards the management of the grain collection, storage and redistribution or sale. CDSC also resolved to educate 1500 farmers in the location to store their grains at the Farmers Training Center and sell when prices stabilizes. Listing of farmers earmarked for grain storage has already begun. 2.2. Grain Silo Construction To fast-track the construction, the organization identified an architecture, Engineer and a contractor following the organization laydown procurement procedures. Having secured the legal approvals the contractor has begun delivering items at the site with construction expected to begin on Monday 11th June 2018. This will take approximately three week. 2.3 Identification and mobilization of 50 farmers to be trained on FIMS. The Mango Tree through Livelihood officer and farm attendant has begun identifying and mobilizing the first group of 50 farmers to be trained on famers information management system. The system seeks to improve information sharing among farmers, issue alerts on disease outbreaks, weather patterns and trending crop prices. The App will also be instrumental on educating farming on current agribusiness technologies. 2.4 Contracting a FIMS App developer The organization is in the advance stage of identifying an IT farm to develop, train and install FIMS App to farmer’s android phones. The App among other things will matches farmers with local buyers across Kenya. It also offers important information using provided price trends to know the best time to plant your crops. Once the produce is ready FIMS connects the farmer with thousands of ready buyers for the most ideal price. 3. Challenges faced and way forward 3.1 Chalanges Poor Weather as a result of the ongoing rains has derailed the delivery of construction materials due to inaccessibility of the site. Inadequate funds to train more farmers on FIMS due to the high number of farmers expressing interest in the App 3.2 Way Forward The project has resorted to delivering of materials in the afternoon when the road is passable. The project intends to raise more funds through GlobalGiving to trains more farmers in FIMS 4 Next Month’s Activity Delivery of construction material Construction of the silo Listing to farmers for fims training Monthly community consultation meeting Development of relevant monitoring tools

construction 2

Lead Farmers Trained

Maize Farmer

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