Imani Development commissioned a series of case studies earlier this year to explore the gender impacts of the EU funded AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund programme. This month, we present evidence from grant beneficiary KenyaCof to understand the experiences of women in their coffee value chain and what steps the company has taken to empower them.
KenyaCof is a family-owned coffee company based in Murang’a County that promotes farm-to-roaster trade. The organisation provides, among other services, professional support in coffee trade, market access, farm management, and financing for coffee farmers. KenyaCof works with small-scale farmers from several counties, including Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Murang’a, Machakos, Transnzoia, Nyeri, Embu, Kericho, Nandi, Bungoma, and Meru/Tharaka Nithi.
With crucial support from the AgriFi Challenge Fund, KenyaCof has tackled existing barriers in the coffee value chain. Their initiatives have focused on connecting smallholder farmers to financing institutions, promoting climate-smart agriculture and promoting participation opportunities for women and youth in the coffee value chain.
Visiting one of KenyaCof’s female smallholder farmer suppliers in Murang’a county
KenyaCof has implemented several initiatives aimed at attracting more women into the coffee value chain. To date, KenyaCof has reached 25,000 smallholder farmers. Most women farmers who have received training and support through the AgriFI grant have seen a substantial increase in their yields. Some have even reported a more than threefold increase in yield to 700 kilograms from as low as 200 kilograms before the funding. Their increased earnings have enabled them to invest in other businesses, education, improve livelihoods, and expand their coffee farms.
Read more or download the full case study here.