A series of case studies have been commissioned to extend key lessons and recommendations from review and analysis of AgriFI Challenge Fund grantees. They build upon a previous research phase which explored high priority impact areas including nutrition, climate smart agriculture and support for SME’s in arid regions with a view to supporting effective design, targeting and implementation.
Although AgriFI is committed to supporting SMEs in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya, few applications have been received from these areas. This week’s case study presents an evidence-based analysis of why this might be the case, drawing on the example of White Gold to explore some of the challenges facing less established agri-enterprises falling outside the scope of challenge funds like AgriFI.
White Gold is a Nanyuki based camel milk processor, predominantly supplied by female “urban herders” who live in Nanyuki town and keep their herds in peri-urban areas outside of town or at ranches. The company currently produces 200 to 300 litres of milk per day, but with a production capacity of more than 1,000 litres per day. Although White Gold is a strong candidate for catalytic funding from mechanisms like AgriFI, the company is not yet eligible to apply at its current level of formalisation.
White Gold’s strong market potential and capacity to generate smallholder level impact highlight the potential for meaningful investment in the sector. In addition to offering insights into the huge scope for expansion and limiting factors specific to the camel milk sector, the case study identifies priority areas for targeted support to reduce barriers to participation for less established enterprises and value chains more generally.
Read or download the full case study
