Over 1,000 smallholder maize farmers in Embu County are set to benefit from access to digital credit for inputs and insurance to boost agricultural production.
Through a financing agreement between Family Bank and DigiFarm, the farmers based in Mbeere North and South Sub-counties will be able to borrow and access the funds digitally through the agri-tech platform.
The farmers will receive financing depending on the acreage size and those registered will be able to redeem their credit vouchers for farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides from DigiFarm partner agro vets.
In addition to financing, the farmers will receive training on sustainable agricultural practices, market linkages, and financial literacy to promote farming resilience.
Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) Counties such as Embu often face low agricultural produce due to production shocks such as droughts and diseases.
According to the Economic Survey 2023 released by the Kenya Bureau of National Statistics, the production volume of maize in Kenya declined by 6.5 percent to 34.3 million bags in 2022.
Family Bank Lead Digital Transformation Aristarichus Kuria said despite the high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and market inefficiencies, farmers continue to face a lack of access to efficient and convenient funding to buy essential farming products.
He however said technology adoption and such multisector partnerships are increasing financial inclusion, especially for smallholder farmers,” said Kuria.
“As a Bank, our focus has been to provide end-to-end value to our customers. We are confident that through this partnership we will not only improve farmers’ financial resilience but also break the cycle of low investment and low returns,” he said.
He was speaking on Wednesday at Kanyuambora Township in Mbeere North Sub-county, Embu, during the launch of the program.
DigiFarm Director Seema Gohil said they will continue to leverage technology and partnerships to reduce the financing gap faced by smallholder farmers and drive climate-resilient solutions.
She said through the platform, farmers are able to access a full range of services to drive production improvements.
“Farmers are able to receive agronomy advice, credit for inputs, insurance, and other services and can then connect with buyers during harvest,” the Director said, adding that they are committed to transforming the agriculture sector through technology.
Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku lauded the move, saying the support will enable farmers to become self-reliant and also transform the semi-arid region into a breadbasket for the county.
He also called for the program to be extended to other crops such as sorghum, millet, cotton, and green grams that do well in the area.
Runyenjes Sub-County Agricultural Officer Stephen Njagi said they have for the last five years been running a similar program that supports farmers who have so far graduated from subsistence to commercial farming.
The farmers were upbeat that they would have a bumper harvest as the burden of purchasing inputs from their own pockets had been eased. “With this arrangement, we have no reason why we will not be able to farm better and increase our yields,” said farmer Cornelius Njeru.
