Kenya Maize Development Program Assists Kimitu Farmers' Association

“Working with the Kenya Maize Development Program has been a great boost to our efforts in promoting better and cost effective farming and strategic markets for our produce.” — Association member and Company Secretary Dr. Cherogony

The maize harvest season brings an upbeat spirit and a spike in activities to the small market town of Moi’s Bridge along the Kitale-Eldoret highway in western Kenya. During the months of November and December, farmers in the high-production region of Trans Nzoia are busy harvesting and preparing the season’s yield for markets all over the country. Trans Nzoia produces on average 180,000-270,000 metric tones (MT) of maize per year out of an average national production level of 2.5 million MT, making it a primary contributor to the nation’s food basket. At Moi’s Bridge, enthusiasm with regard to the 2003 annual harvest is particularly high among members of the Kimitu Farmers Self Help Group (SHG). The group consists of 468 farmers who came together under a common theme: “Unity of Purpose for Farming Success.” Members of the association look forward to increasing net profits from the seasonal sale thanks to the support they have received from the Kenya Maize Development Program (KMDP). KMDP, managed by ACDI/VOCA, encourages and supports the formation of farmers’ associations as a means of improving the efficiency and participation of smallholder producers in the maize sector.

Kimitu Self Help Group traces its roots to 1990, when an informal community association was established in the Waitaluk area with the aim of enhancing development through the provision of improved education. The group brought together resources from villagers and local authorities in the spirit of harambee—Swahili for let’s all pull together—and with additional support from the Kenyan government, established a community polytechnic and a school providing both primary and secondary level education. Additional group development initiatives led to the installation of water pipes and the expansion of electricity to the community, all of which have greatly improved the quality of life for this predominantly farming community. However, the underlying need to improve farming and increase local incomes, remained unmet.

In response to that need, ACDI/VOCA in collaboration with the Cereal Growers Association (CGA) extended assistance to the group. The Kimitu Farmers Self Help Group was established as a formal, registered association with a primary focus on improving maize production and marketing within Waitaluk. As a result of KMDP assistance, the association has brought together farmers from seven zones to strengthen the market position of maize producers within the area.

Kimitu Farmers SHG has a very diverse membership consisting of both large and small scale producers. Its leaders include retired professionals from various fields including an IT specialist and a veterinarian, as well as seasoned farmers. This diversity has greatly contributed to the success of the association, providing an opportunity for smallholder producers to learn and benefit through continued interaction with their larger and more commercialized counterparts. The group has adopted a set of by-laws governing administration of the group and has also established an HIV/AIDS committee tasked with ensuring the mitigation and care of HIV/AIDS affected persons within the community. The SHG’s by-laws also stipulate the inclusion of women in leadership positions, and emphasize the recruitment and registration of women members.

Members of the SHG have benefited from training in financial management provided through ACDI/VOCA’s Farming as a Business (FaaB) workshops. Christopher Sang, the association’s Director of Finance, attended the “Training of Trainers” FaaB workshop and learned useful skills in farm management that he later passed on to group members in a localized FaaB training. FaaB seeks to instill a business approach to agriculture by providing farmers with appropriate business management tools for better decision making, especially in risk and cost management. Following the training, Mr. Sang explained that the members of the association now understand the need for business planning and managing their costs effectively to ensure increased profits. “Association members are keen on seeking the best price for the maize, but also understand the need to secure markets and establish market linkages. By determining exact production costs per bag, farmers are better informed on acceptable prices for their produce, and are also better equipped to utilize available market information.” Kimitu Farmers SHG is expecting to market over 5,000 MT of maize following this year’s harvest. “We are currently in the final phase of negotiations with Unga Ltd. to sign a purchasing agreement for our harvest, which we see as a major achievement for our unity and organized approach,” exclaimed Mr. Sang.

Kimitu SHG also expects to benefit greatly from business linkages established as a result of their participation in maize promotion and educational events organized through the KMDP. In October 2003, association members attended a Business Fair organized by ACDI/VOCA that was attended by various players in the maize industry including officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, National Cereals and Produce Board, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, and over 4,000 farmers. The fair, held at Moi’s Bridge, presented members of the SHG with an opportunity to learn new technologies, and establish business contacts with input suppliers, maize millers and other business service providers.

Members of the SHG are encouraged to deposit monthly savings in the association bank account, and this has strengthened the group’s ability to negotiate and access credit facilities. As a consequence, the SHG is now able to buy fertilizer in bulk for redistribution to members. According to the association CEO, Mr. Anthony Kogo, the group is determined to achieve a high standard of competitiveness in the global market. An association e-mail address has been established, and an upcoming website will link the group to opportunities worldwide. In the future, the members of Kimitu SHG hope to visit and host farmers from other countries with the aim of improving their farming methods and possibly identify marketing opportunities within regional markets. As Mr. Kogo stated, “Farmers of Kimitu are very excited to be part of the KMDP, and look forward to fostering global relationships by working with all participating parties. We are also particularly glad to be working with ACDI/VOCA, which brings to us a wealth of experience and knowledge in cooperative development.”