1 minute read
Figure 3-4 – Focus Area 2: Agri-processing at Kalamba
Figure 3-4 – Focus Area 2: Agri-processing at Kalamba
Source: Atkins, 2022
3.4.3 Focus Area 3: Climate Smart Aggregation and Services Centre
Agricultural productivity within Makueni County is low due to poor adoption of technology, limited access to inputs and inadequate extension services. As part of supporting VCs within the County there is a strong need for improvements in the collection and aggregation networks, investment in farms and upskilling of farmers. To address these issues, aggregation and service centres would be developed to serve farmers in the County. The aggregation centres would collect, pack and dispatch produce, as well as provide farm inputs. To increase yields, the centres would provide training and advice supported by model farms, as well as be a conduit for investment finance and insurance. Cooperatives and SACCOs have a role to play in this development as well as the agri-processing centres.
Aggregation can provide a holistic approach to overcome supply chain challenges and serve as a key pillar of integrated economic development. It also requires smarter ways of agricultural production. Aggregation can improve and stabilise farmer incomes and strengthen the resilience of food production. It can provide farmers with essential access to information and resources, including knowledge tools to build capacity, resilience and adaptability, along with better market access and prices.
Aggregation of smallholder farms into groups will bring together isolated, fragmented small-scale farms to create viable economies of scale capable of servicing large-scale buyers that provide guaranteed markets and predictable payment. This includes interlinked activities involved with the production, handling, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products, as well as tackling existing gaps to ensure they continue to work together effectively and in an integrated manner. Storage solutions, such as solar-powered cold storage hubs can extend the shelf life of perishable food and reduce post-harvest losses, allowing small-scale farmers to increase their quality of produce, sale volumes and income.
