Nairobi: Proparco and Equity Group have signed an agreement to provide technical assistance of Sh141,260,000 to Equity Group Foundation (EGF) for the 'Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems' (CRAFS) project aimed at aiding smallholder farmers in Kenya to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
According to Kenya News Agency, the signing ceremony was held in Nairobi and attended by the French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet, Proparco's Regional Director for East Africa, Jean Guyonnet-Dup©rat, and Equity Group CEO, Dr. James Mwangi. Agriculture is a significant contributor to Kenya's economy, representing about 30 percent of the GDP and 45 percent of export earnings. It supports 75 percent of rural communities and employs over 70 percent of the rural workforce, including a substantial portion of women and youth.
Equity Group Foundation (EGF) aims to implement the CRAFS project to assist smallholder farmers in adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). This initiative is designed to increase productivity, enhance resilience to climate changes, and reduce agricultural emissions through sustainable methods. The project will offer training, financial access, and knowledge exchange, with a dedicated field team ensuring on-the-ground implementation. Suppliers and value chain actors will play a vital role in empowering farmers and micro-businesses.
The CRAFS project targets 15,000 farmers annually involved in livestock or crop value chains. It will also provide sensitization and linkage regarding the productive use of energy, sustainable production practices, waste-to-energy initiatives, and water management.
The French Ambassador to Kenya highlighted the importance of agriculture in employment, food security, and foreign currency earnings. He noted that the collaboration between France through Proparco and EGF is crucial to support SMEs and entrepreneurship. This project, he stated, exemplifies the ongoing partnership with Equity Group, facilitating the emergence of grassroots initiatives in agriculture, health, higher education, fintech, and renewable energy.
Proparco's Regional Director for East Africa expressed satisfaction in strengthening the partnership with Equity Group, a prominent player in Africa. He affirmed that Proparco's technical support underpins efforts to support Kenyan agricultural actors, from small farmers to innovators, and thanked EGF for its trust.
Equity Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. James Mwangi, remarked that the partnership with Proparco marks a significant milestone in a journey of collaboration among people and nations. He emphasized the partnership's focus on equipping farmers, families, and communities with the knowledge and support needed to prosper in a changing world. Dr. Mwangi stressed the importance of climate-smart agriculture in empowering farmers to enhance productivity, build resilience against climate shocks, and contribute to a sustainable future, reiterating Equity's commitment to helping smallholder farmers mitigate agricultural risks.