The Country Programme Kenya began by supporting smallholder farmers to self-organize into solidarity groups, which are built on mutual support, shared labour, and collective learning. Through this solidarity, farmers have established and continue to nurture biointensive kitchen gardens and food forests.
As farmers advance from food security challenges to generating surplus produce, the demand for agro-processing knowledge and skills becomes essential. This week, with support from Fastenaktion – Action de Carême – Azione Quaresimale, Acts for Change Trust is training 60 Community Extension Agents and technical project staff who will directly empower and walk with over 5,000 smallholder farmers in affordable agro-processing techniques, value addition, and post-harvest loss reduction. These extension agents serve as vital multipliers, enabling smallholders to convert seasonal surplus into shelf-stable, market-ready products.
Why This Matters:
- Post-harvest losses of fresh produce in Kenya remain alarmingly high, undercutting farmers’ incomes and overall food availability.
- Reducing these losses through simple, scalable processing and improved handling practices increases household income, enhances nutrition, and opens market opportunities.
- Peer farmers as local extension agents are a proven catalyst for faster, sustainable adoption of new practices and technologies.
This focus on agro-processing and value chains aligns with Fastenaktion – Action de Carême – Azione Quaresimale’s commitment and Kenya’s national agenda to reduce food loss and build resilient post-harvest systems.
If you work in agricultural value chains, market systems, or post-harvest innovations, we’d love to connect and exchange practical insights from the field.
Christa Suter, Stellamaris Mulaeh, Carol Thuita, MIRIAM KISILU, JM Kariuki PMP®, Kimani Kinyanjui, Leon Jander
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With support from Fastenaktion – Action de Carême – Azione [...]
