The purpose of member-based farmers’ organisations’ (FO) is to represent the needs and interests of their mainly small-holder farmer members in lobby and advocacy. However, this core mandate is not always perceived by their members on grassroot level and generally does not generate a sustainable income for the organisation.
So how do we address this in the organisational development with our partners?
In Kenya, we include the development of sustainable business services in our cooperation with Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF) to support the federation in building a stable membership and achieving self-sufficiency.
KENAFF is the apex body of farmer organisations in Kenya, its members are organised in and through commodity associations, cooperative societies, producer business groups, self-help farmer groups and farming firms. AHA has supported KENAFF in her devolution from national to county level in selected counties since 2016. In 2022 the need for county-specific services was assessed to further strengthen the county associations’ independence from national level. The aim is to create attractive benefits within the organisation that, for example, provide members with knowledge, access to sales and procurement markets, financial and technical support or the sharing of resources. Ideally, these services cover existing gaps in the local agri-food-system, e.g. a breakdown of agricultural extension services.
In multiple county visits and workshops with county representatives, KENAFF together with our trainer and agricultural economist, Jasmin Sani, identified various possible services for the respective counties, including the following:
As the conditions in the counties vary, not all the proposed services are suitable for each county. However, KENAFFs and our goal was to identify at least one service per county matching the prevailing circumstances. Over the past two years, these services have been developed, applied as pilots, evaluated and further developed. In Jasmin Sanis latest workshops in February and August 2024 the county representatives and staff were able to tell many success stories.
From Siaya county coordinator Erick Kasmara was proud to tell that they held their first field day in August 2023 which created revenue. Erick and his colleagues from county leadership aimed to create collaborations for farmers, offer a platform for exchange and use the day to enhance visibility of KENAFF in Siaya. Next to KENAFF, nine other organisations or companies from the agricultural sector were present including county government, fertilizer producers, poultry producers and youth organisations.
Moreover, market linkages were created in multiple counties by using simple methods as WhatsApp groups to guarantee easy access. Farmers as well as other stakeholders along the value chains can use these groups for sales marketing as well as exchange on related topics. The next step will be to link the groups from the counties to national level for inter-county linkages and exchange.
In Meru County, KENAFF was supported by local machinery rings and AHA in conducting trainings concerning climate smart farming and integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). Due to high demand and great feedback, KENAFF proposed to train a selected group of lead farmers as multipliers to develop a capacity building service in Meru county. Farmers with a background in agricultural education or as extension officers were selected by KENAFF Meru, and trained in ISFM by Patrick Owino Okello, technical advisor for machinery ring. Together with Jasmin Sani a business plan and a concept for farmers trainings were developed and rolled out in October 2024. The early results already indicate for further development such as partnerships with lime suppliers and soil testing kit suppliers to make the low-cost training (200 KES = 1,50 EUR/farmer) even more attractive and unique for farmers. If all goes well, the multiplication to other KENAFF counties is planned.
Prof. Kaburu M’Ribu, KENAFF Meru County Chairman and National Chairman, summarises the importance of adequate service provision: “We as County Association leaders need to provide services that respond directly to the needs of our farmers, allowing them to recognize the value of being part of KENAFF.”
After two years of support in business service development, KENAFF has already developed a unique and varied service portfolio at county and national level. In addition to our cooperation, the association has already expanded it independently or in partnership with other organisations, for instance with the development of a farmers’ health insurance or a digitalisation service. We are delighted to continue our involvement in these developments in the coming year and to utilise synergies with other partners to support KENAFF in this important area.