Co-operative Bank of Kenya, in collaboration with Mastercard and the Shell Foundation, is calling on agronomy experts and service providers to submit proposals for an exciting new initiative aimed at transforming the agricultural sector for smallholder potato farmers in Kenya. This partnership seeks to provide essential agronomical support to farmers, helping them increase productivity, enhance crop quality, and improve their overall livelihoods. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable and thriving potato farming sector that will positively impact the lives of many families in Kenya.
Supporting Smallholder Farmers: A Critical Need
Smallholder farmers in Kenya, especially those in the potato farming sector, face numerous challenges that hinder their productivity and financial success. These challenges include outdated farming practices, limited access to modern agricultural techniques, inadequate resources, and fluctuating market conditions. Despite these obstacles, potato farming remains a vital part of Kenya’s agricultural economy, providing food security and livelihoods for many rural families.
Recognizing the potential to transform the sector, Co-op Bank, alongside Mastercard and Shell Foundation, has launched this initiative to deliver targeted agronomy services to smallholder potato farmers. By working with experts in agronomy, the partnership aims to address these challenges and enable farmers to improve the quality and quantity of their potato crops, which will, in turn, boost their income and contribute to the growth of Kenya’s agricultural economy.
The Role of Agronomy Service Providers
Co-op Bank, Mastercard, and Shell Foundation are looking for experienced and qualified service providers with expertise in agronomy to deliver comprehensive support to potato farmers. These service providers will be responsible for helping farmers adopt modern and sustainable farming practices that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve crop resilience to climate change and pests.
The primary responsibilities of the selected service providers will include:
- Training and Capacity Building: Service providers will work directly with smallholder farmers to educate them on the latest agricultural techniques, technologies, and best practices in potato farming. This training will cover a range of topics such as soil health management, pest control, irrigation practices, crop rotation, and post-harvest handling.
- Access to Modern Tools and Technologies: Service providers will introduce farmers to innovative tools and technologies designed to optimize farming practices. These may include modern irrigation systems, pest control solutions, and crop monitoring tools that can help farmers increase their yields while minimizing environmental impact.
- Monitoring and Support: Continuous support and guidance will be provided to farmers throughout the growing cycle. Service providers will monitor the farmers’ progress, assess crop health, and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes. This ongoing support ensures that farmers can implement the training and technologies effectively.
- Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Service providers will emphasize the importance of sustainable farming practices that promote soil conservation, water efficiency, and resilience to climate change. This will help farmers not only increase their current yields but also ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
- Market Linkages and Access to Finance: In addition to providing technical assistance, service providers will help farmers access markets where they can sell their potatoes at fair prices. They will also assist farmers in exploring financing options to support their farming activities, including accessing loans and subsidies available through Co-op Bank.
Eligibility Criteria for Service Providers
To ensure that only qualified and capable service providers are selected, Co-op Bank, in partnership with Mastercard and Shell Foundation, has set specific criteria. Interested service providers should meet the following qualifications:
- Expertise in Agronomy: Service providers should have a proven track record of working with smallholder farmers, preferably in the potato farming sector, and have experience in improving farming practices and agricultural productivity.
- Experience in Sustainable Agriculture: Providers should have a strong understanding of sustainable farming techniques and be able to teach farmers how to implement these practices for long-term benefits.
- Capacity for Training and Extension Services: The selected service providers must be able to conduct training sessions, field demonstrations, and follow-up support to ensure that farmers can successfully adopt new practices.
- Ability to Work with Rural Communities: Experience working with rural communities, especially smallholder farmers, is crucial. Providers should be capable of understanding the challenges faced by these farmers and offer tailored solutions that address their specific needs.
- Innovative Solutions: Service providers should be able to introduce innovative, technology-driven solutions that can help farmers improve their productivity, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability.
How to Apply
This is an excellent opportunity for agronomy experts and service providers who are passionate about improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya. If you meet the eligibility criteria and are eager to contribute to the development of the potato farming sector, you are invited to submit a proposal.
Interested service providers should submit their proposals to co-opconsultancy@co-opbank.co.ke by 7th January 2025. Proposals should clearly outline the service provider’s qualifications, approach to agronomy services, and how they intend to support smallholder potato farmers. Full details of the request for proposals (RFP) can be found on the Co-op Bank website here.
A Bright Future for Smallholder Potato Farmers
This initiative is a significant step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of Kenya’s potato farming sector. By providing expert agronomical support, Co-op Bank, Mastercard, and Shell Foundation aim to improve the economic well-being of smallholder farmers and help them achieve greater food security. Through this collaboration, the partners hope to empower farmers, improve agricultural practices, and ultimately contribute to the overall growth of Kenya’s agricultural economy.
As smallholder farmers are essential to the country’s food security and economic development, this initiative stands as a testament to Co-op Bank’s continued commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and rural communities in Kenya.
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