Small Farm. Strong Business. Lydia Karimi Muitari and Jenny Kajuju Rugiri, Kenya Photo: Traidcraft Exchange/Ian Gatere
“We learned how to practice Kilimo Biashara (farming as a business). Not Kilimo Tumbo (farming for the tummy, i.e. subsistence farming).” - Ann Ntinyari Ann Ntinyari is a farming entrepreneur in Meru County, Kenya, who has created a strong business from her two-acre farm. You may have supported members of this community by donating to our Hidden Entrepreneurs appeal back in 2018. But this year that funding runs out. We need your help to not just continue this work, but expand it. Could you donate today to help us reach more people like Ann? Ann and her family faced a terrible loss in 2016, “[My husband] Paul had parked his motorbike on the side of the road at the corner as you enter Ruiri town. He was fixing a flat tyre. The lorry lost control, went off the road and hit my husband. He said goodbye to this world.” Sadly, tragedies like this are often
compounded by a loss of household income when crops aren’t harvested– but Ann’s steadfastness and adaptability has protected her family. Ann took training in farming techniques including crop spacing, conservation tilling and crop rotation. Later she learnt negotiation skills and financial education on practices like table banking. These new skills, alongside access to market prices through an SMS messaging service, mean Ann is no longer beholden to unfair practices by middlemen, earning fairer prices for her produce. “I’ve come to realise that if you use your head, problems shall not stand in your way,” she reveals.
Ann explains that “It’s not helping us with say money that really counts. Instead, it’s helping us to think anew that counts.” Farmers like Ann have always had the work ethic and tenacity to succeed, but often did not have the opportunity. Your donations can help power this work further – more communities, more farms and more entrepreneurs using the power of business to leave poverty behind for good. Your support is needed now more than ever.
Find out more and donate here www.traidcraftexchange.org/easter 10 traidcraftshop.co.uk
