Nairobi: More than 51,000 small-scale farmers in Kirinyaga and Embu counties are poised to gain from a six-month training initiative by the Rainforest Alliance under the Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods (MUSULLI) Project. The program aims to equip farmers, mainly tea growers, with skills in agribusiness, diversification, human rights, and environmental conservation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Rainforest Alliance Country Director Marion Ng'ang'a emphasized the program's theme, 'Pesa Mfukoni' (Money in the pocket), noting that the initiative has already trained over 20,000 farmers in collaboration with eight local tea factories. Ng'ang'a highlighted the program's objective to reduce reliance on tea and coffee by promoting diversification.
The training initiative covers four key areas: gender mainstreaming and human rights, diversification into alternative farming activities, agribusiness management and financial literacy, and home economics for improved food security and nutrition. Ng'ang'a stressed the importance of sustainable systems, urging participants to address the persistent hunger affecting one in five Africans. She encouraged women and youth to leverage the program and advocated for farmer groups to register legally to access financial support.
Ng'ang'a also warned of the potential decline in tea and coffee quality without proactive environmental conservation, citing climate change's impact on land availability for these crops. She noted the significant participation of women and youth, who represent over 70 percent of graduates from the program.
MUSULLI Project Officer Alan Kinuthia announced that each participating tea factory will receive a Sh1 million revolving fund for farmer-led projects. He mentioned that many factories are diversifying into avocado farming, beekeeping, and small-scale tea packaging enterprises to create alternative income streams and enhance tea quality.
Specific examples include Thumaita Tea Factory's beekeeping initiative, Kathangarii Tea Factory's investment in tea packaging machines, and Ndima Tea Factory's focus on Hass avocado farming. Kinuthia highlighted the distribution of 28,000 Hass avocado seedlings at Ndima, emphasizing their suitability for the local environment and promising market links for farmers.
Ndima Tea Factory Vice Chairman, Muchiri Wachira, expressed support for the program, citing its potential to reduce production costs through modern methods and bio-chemical use. Farmers like Lilian Nyawira from Ndima testified to the training's impact, noting increased financial security through diversified income sources.
Ng'ang'a concluded by envisioning a future generation of skilled farmers, urging families to foster peace and unity for household development and poverty reduction. The MUSULLI program will continue its efforts to fortify agribusiness, enhance livelihoods, and champion environmental conservation across the Mt. Kenya region.