INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN SEMI ARID ELGEIYO-

MARAKWET COUNTY, KENYA

Ms. Everlyne Koech CherobonCoordinator and Founder,

EMEDEN KENYA

EMRC AGRIBUSINESS FORUM, SOUTH AFRICA; 16th -19th Oct 2011

EMRC AGRIBUSINESS FORUM, SOUTH AFRICA; 16th -19th Oct 2011

Start of this project’s journey was 2007 with Volunteer Farmers Outreach Initiatives to sensitize farmers on environmental issues and existing unexploited agricultural opportunities in semi arid Keiyo district.

In 2010, EMEDEN Kenya was formally registered under the laws of Kenya as non profit member based farmer organization.

First formal project was introduction of improved beekeeping practices integrated with sunflower farming.

EMEDEN KENYA Since 20101. Expanded its Beekeeping and sunflower project to

include dry land crops mainly millet, sorghum, green grams, ground nuts and beans.

2. It started with initial capital of US$4,850 and is now worth over $US10,000

3. 5 people started as volunteer staff and are currently on salary, while an additional 7 have been added on commission basis

4. Established 4 Farmers Resource Centers in the target area

ABOUT THE PROJECT Primarily working in semi arid parts of

Elgeiyo Marakwet county by establishing a network of Farmers Resource Centers across the target area that provide the following integrated agricultural services to the smallholder farmers at their farm gate.

1. Farm Inputs and Household Goods (Agro-Vet Shop).

2. Collection and bulking point of farm produce for value addition and onward access to wider market (Market Access).

3. Library unit on agricultural Information and Technology.

4. Group Savings and Lending (Micro financial services).

More than 80% land of Kenya is Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL). Elgeiyo Marakwet County forms part of the semi arid lands and is

divided into three geographic zones; the highland plateau, the Elgeiyo Escarpment and the Kerio Valley,

The project is located on the Escarpment and the Valley characterized by:

Low rainfall of between 700 mm to 1,000 mm annually sometimes lower.Experiences increasing poverty coupled by increasing environmental

degradation.Farmers cultivate on steep slopes so that rainwater that used to infiltrate and

feed the springs and rivers now runs off the surface with ravaging speed.The situation has created a vicious cycle that can turn the escarpment zone,

which still looks very much like paradise, into a barren landscape, many rocks …and few people.

Strategic multidimensional measures have to be instituted to turn around the above conditions.

This project is an attempt to reverse this scenario.

ABOUT THE PROJECT cont…

IMAGE OF PROJECT AREA

PROJECT INVESTMENT Initial capital of USD4,850

in 2009 in farmers outreach.

USD 5,000 was invested in Farm input supply and market access.

And further USD25,000 needed to scale up its activities.

FINANCIAL PROJECTIONSIncome statement

2009 2010 2011(Estimates)

USD

2012(Estimates)

USD

2013(Estimates)

USD

2014(Estimates)

USD

2015(Estimates)

USD

REVENUE - 14,220 19,500

21,450

24,024

27,147

30,948

Raw Material Costs - 6,220 7,550

8,305

9,302

10,511

11,982

Operation Costs - 1,780 2,220

2,442

2,735

3,091

3,523

Marketing Costs - 4,440 5,780

6,358

7,121

8,047

9,173

Net Income - 1,780 3,950 4,345 4,866 5,499 6,269

CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITYThe project deals with over 2000 smallholder farmers

through direct service provision.Each farmer has average of 6 member household, hence

the project directly benefits 12000 community members.12 persons are employed.60% of these persons are women and youth.Project is expected to increase employment opportunities

by at least 50% in the coming year.Other beneficiaries are transporters for both inputs and

farm outputs.Contribution to community food security and climate

change mitigation.

USD 5,000 farmers outreach and extension services.

USD 5,000 invest in input supply and farm output/produce market access.

And USD 5,000 to increase the micro credit service network.

INVESTMENT PLAN FOR THE $15,000

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Africa Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), a Program of CGIAR, thank you for empowering me to believe in my dreams and making it a reality.

Elgeiyo Marakwet Community for embracing and accepting the project.

The Government of Kenya line Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for grassroots support.

EMRC/RABOBANK for giving me this opportunity to showcase the project.

Family for faith , trust and support.

PROTECTED AREAS ON THE ESCARPMENT

“LONG LIVE EMRC”THANK YOU