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Increased income for onion farmers.
Onion farmers in central Kenya are receiving almost three times more money for their crops thanks to an initiative funded by FARM-Africa’s Maendeleo Agricultural Technology Fund (MATF).
Before the initiative farmers had no way to store their onions after they had harvested them. This meant that they had to sell them as soon as they were harvested when prices were at their lowest. Each farmer had no choice but to sell his produce to local traders as soon as possible whilst the onions were still in good condition. The local traders would play the farmers off against each other, forcing prices down even further.
FARM-Africa has helped the onion farmers to form onion farming groups. The groups have been given the training they need to work as a marketing association (with around 20 farmer groups in each marketing association). The lead group in each association then helps all the members to decide together what a fair price would be for their onion harvest. If every group in the association then offers the traders the same price then they have no choice but to pay it if they wish to purchase onions from the village.
The groups also received training in how best to store the onions to prevent them from rotting. MATF funds paid for a demonstration site where a storage facility was built so that all the other groups could replicate it using the knowledge and skills that they had learnt.
Before the project farmers were receiving an average of around 10 pence per kilo of onions. The price is now around 28 pence per kilo.
Comments
Iam Appreciated the project of farm africa coz helping rural poor
This is fantastic you have done great job trebling price is not a joke. THANKS SIELE GILBERT BOMET
That's a great initiative. From Dairy goats, now to Onions. The trick is to cut down midlemen influence over small scale farmers. Keep up the Farm Africa spirit!
You have managed to solve a major problem that has persisted for so long. Due to lack of knowledge and resources most farmers are forced to sell their produce as soon as they harvest, times of abundance when the prices are at the lowest. These onion farmers are so fortunate to sell their produce now when onion prices are high.
Oo,Farm Africa! keep going on and on,Let God bless you,since your trying to improve the life std of low income earners in the region.
Great work. Sustainable farming is indeed the way to go for Africa. I believe we have the potential to produce food for the rest of the world especially if small scale producers are properly empowered.
Its fantastic, I have stopped smoking. The money I used to spend on tobacco, I am now giving to FARM-Africa, each month, to help families and communities generate food, a sustainable income and work. I am delighted to be doing something really positive, and will try to persuade friends to get involved. Keep up the good work.
Ur initiative has realy inspired to venture in small scale farming.
I am very impressed with the way your organization handles development in Kenya. You have the passion of serving and I would be happy to be associated with Farm Africa. I work for Kenyans at Curriculum development center and would be happy to the best way to support your initiative. Keep on keeping on.
I am so glad to see the good work you are doing in Kenya. Those onion are waoh!
Farmers appreciate your efforts towards capacity building and Market information for their produce.
Iam greatly impressed by farm africa projects on parts of meru. i believe the projects are viable and have greatly improved the lives of many kenyans. May farm africa live long.
Great work there keep it up
Iam very very impressed with the way your organisation handles development approaches which enhances and increases the income based of the women in east africa.another thing is the capacity building Farm Africa give to the poor communities continue with the same effort for sustainable development in africa.
From Dairy goats, now to Onions. The trick is to cut down midlemen influence over small scale farmers. Keep up the Farm Africa spirit!
No greater work than this; that poor communities can generate sustainable incomes and get a living. Keep up the good work, farm Africa
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