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| Farmers Own initiated a four-season pilot over 2 years from 2002 to 2004. It was held in the
Western and Central Provinces of Kenya.
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| Over 5000 farming households |
| Either soya or sunflower was grown initially, with some farmers growing a second crop in the third and
fourth seasons. In the first two seasons, 300 farmers were recruited to the scheme in each province.
More wanted to join as they saw other farmers receiving secure income. By the fourth season, we
had 5,611 farming households working with the pilot in total.
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| The results were phenomenal |
Ø Increased acreage of cash crops by 50 - 75%
Ø Yields increased by up to 100%
Ø The price received per kg of crop rose by over 40%
Ø Incomes rose on average by 30-35%
More farming households produced more goods, for more money to receive a higher income.
Proof that Farmers Own works.
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| The Community Benefits |
The community as a whole benefited from improved nutrition and food security.
In fact, nearly 40% of the harvest was able to be stored.
The land also reaped a reward as soil became more fertile with the use of composite manure
rather than fertilisers. At a meeting in Kakamega, Kenya last December, local communities,
local government and the Kenyan government all fully endorsed Farmers Own as providing real
hope to eradicate poverty.
Furthermore, KPMG, Ernst and Young and the UK Department for International Development have all
affirmed the ability of Farmers Own to manage and organise local farmers who in turn fulfilled
their contracts.
The pilot was partially funded by DFIDand their chosen independent
reviewer reported:
"This review firmly concludes that the project has attained significant
success...... with respect to the promotion of conservation and organic
farming as well as providing market servicess..... The demand for
extension and marketing s3ervices by farmers in and around the
project area is high and growing raplidly..... A very good rapport
has been built between Farmers Own and farmers.... The livelihoods
of farm households are improving....."
"It is the recommendation of this review that to the extent possible,
the project should continue directing effort towards three key areas
which farmers are seriously craving for. That is promotion of
production through training and demonstrations, promotion of value
addition (processing) and provision of marketing services."
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