Agriculture & Value Chains
Connecting farmers to markets and adding value to our harvests.
The Challenge
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Kenya’s economy, yet many smallholder farmers in Kitutu Chache struggle with low productivity and limited market access. Middlemen often capture most of the value. Post‑harvest losses due to inadequate storage and transport reduce incomes and food security. Farmers want to transition from subsistence to agribusiness but need support.
What I’m Hearing
Farmers ask for reliable roads, affordable inputs and timely payment from buyers. Youth want to apply technology – from mobile apps for market prices to solar‑powered dryers – but lack capital. Cooperatives seek fairer contracts with processors. Consumers and retailers increasingly demand traceability and quality assurance.
What Good Looks Like
Successful value chains link farmers directly to processors and retailers through transparent contracts and shared data. Cold storage facilities and aggregation centres reduce losses. Local processing of fruits, tea and dairy creates jobs and earns higher margins. Farmer field schools and extension services help producers adopt climate‑smart practices. Strong logistics networks enable producers to reach markets quickly.
My Contributions So Far
Sev supports farmer cooperatives in Kisii by providing logistics services at cost and introducing them to buyers in Nairobi. He invests in small‑scale value‑addition plants – such as a banana flour processing unit – that allow farmers to capture more value locally. His team organises training on storage, quality standards and contract negotiation. By leveraging his experience in manufacturing and logistics, he helps bridge the gap between smallholders and national markets.