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Around 40,000 small-scale farmers across six counties are set to benefit from a Sh600 million programme funded by the European Union, aimed at restoring soil fertility and boosting agricultural productivity.
The €4.3 million initiative is being implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the national and county governments, with an emphasis on sustainable and climate-resilient farming methods.
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Launched on Tuesday in Kakamega County, the programme seeks to address declining soil health, land degradation and climate-related challenges that continue to affect food production nationwide.
The three-year project, dubbed Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health, is being rolled out under the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme–Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods (KCEP-CRAL), which has been operational since 2015.
Participating farmers will receive support in areas such as soil testing, integrated soil fertility management, agroecology, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture and improved post-harvest handling.
Most services will be delivered through a digital e-voucher platform that connects farmers with approved private input suppliers and service providers.
IFAD Kenya director Mariatu Kamara said the programme builds on existing systems and lessons from previous EU-funded agricultural projects, rather than introducing an entirely new model.
She noted that earlier phases of KCEP-CRAL enabled farmers in 13 counties to access farm inputs via e-vouchers, with later expansions promoting bio-inputs, agroecological practices and digital delivery systems.
“This initiative is about scaling up approaches that have already been tested and proven effective. We are reinforcing systems that are already delivering results,” Kamara said.
The six participating counties—Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Kilifi, Makueni and Taita Taveta—were selected based on their climate vulnerability, agricultural potential and ability to sustain the interventions.
Kamara emphasised that sustainability is central to the programme, noting that implementation through county structures is intended to ensure continuity beyond donor funding.
State Department for Agriculture Secretary of Administration Harun Khator said the project aligns with the government’s shift towards sustainable soil management and long-term agricultural productivity.
He said the funding will help farmers access certified seeds, fertilisers, bio-inputs, soil testing services and post-harvest technologies, while also strengthening extension services and monitoring systems to track soil health gains.
“These interventions are vital for improving yields, strengthening food security and increasing household incomes, while enhancing resilience to climate change,” Khator said.
He added that the programme supports national priorities on food and nutrition security, climate adaptation and sustainable economic growth.
Kakamega County CEC for Agriculture Moffat Mandela, speaking on behalf of Governor Fernandes Barasa, said the county is the only one to have benefited from all EU–IFAD agricultural programmes implemented so far.
“This project squarely focuses on soil health and agroecology, which are essential for making agriculture more productive, profitable and resilient,” Mandela said.
He added that the county plans to integrate the interventions into its own agricultural programmes to help farmers transition from subsistence farming to commercially viable agriculture that can attract youth and raise rural incomes.
