Stimulating a Reliable Market for Maize Farmers in Kenya

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This blog was first published on “Small Enterprise Evaluation Project” (SEEP) website on September 17th 2018

 

Cargill’s maize storage facility in Nakuru County,Kenya.

In Kenya, maize markets are fragmented and volatile, especially for vulnerable smallholder farmers. Many farmers continue to trade directly with unscrupulous middlemen. Partnering with major commodity buyers is a win-win strategy to empower smallholder farmers to drive inclusive trade and economic development. Global Communities has one such exciting partnership with Cargill in Kenya. Since November 2017, we have been working with Cargill to provide a stable, reliable market for 150 maize producer organizations (POs) in Nakuru, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. These POs are relatively small, ranging between 25 and 30 members, disorganized, and their profitability, operational and leadership capabilities vary widely. Most are registered as Self Help Groups, not commercial cooperatives. In return, Cargill secures reliable suppliers to acquire sufficient quantities and quality of maize.

Read the whole story here:https://seepnetwork.org/Blog-Post/Stimulating-a-Reliable-Market-for-Maize