Kenya
Our work in Kenya
- 978,900
- Farmers served
- 2,381
- Tupande staff
- 56 million
- Tree seedlings produced
Smallholder farmers play an important role in contributing to Kenya’s food security, economic stability, and community development.
In Kenya, we operate under the local brand Tupande. Our mission is to transform every farming community in the country by providing sustained food security and pathways to prosperity.
Since 2006, we have been working with Kenya’s smallholder farmers to provide them with high-quality agricultural products and services in cash or as flexible payment plans. Guided by our expert field and storefront staff, farmers can choose the products that best meet their specific farm requirements.
How we serve
- Quality products: Farmers have access to quality farm products and services all year round.
- Training support: Our field officers provide expert, tailored training directly to farmers throughout the year.
- Technology: Farmers can conveniently access input purchases, training, or market access services on their phones through the Tupande App and our shortcode service.
- Shops: Our 330 storefronts, known as dukas in Swahili, have brought our services closer to the farmers we serve.
- Agroforestry: We have 330 tree nurseries across all our areas of operation.
- Market access: Farmers can access export value chains for avocados and macadamia
How We Serve Farmers
To reach as many farmers as possible, we both serve farmers directly and also operate retail shops and online services.
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In person
1,747 field agents provide year-round training and support to 500,000 farmers
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In shops
330 local shops sell quality farm supplies like seed, and services like soil testing
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Online
Any farmer in Kenya can access products or training through their mobile phone
Meet a One Acre Fund Client
Women smallholder farmers like Hilder Ongeri typically invest more of what they earn back into their families and communities than their male counterparts. This has knock-on effects for the generations that follow. Read her story
Our Impact in Action
Felistus Shimwati started farming with One Acre Fund in Kakamega, Kenya, in 2009. Before joining, Felistus would harvest just four sacks of food from her farm, which would feed her eight children for only three months.
With proper farm supplies and planting techniques, Felistus harvested 14 sacks of food in her first year with us, taking her first step in her path to prosperity. She added more land to her farm year by year, bought solar lights, livestock, and paid school fees for all her children. Whenever she is short on cash, she sells milk and eggs, or even a chicken.
Last year, Felistus visited a One Acre Fund shop for the first time and loved the convenience. She bought vegetables for the short rains and was pleased to pay by phone in two installments.
In 2020, despite the challenges of Covid, she built a new home for herself and two houses for two of her sons. “I’m so delighted that One Acre Fund had given me a place to sleep peacefully. I’m now living my dreams. I have a big house that I have named One Acre Fund,” says Felistus.
Explore more of our work in Kenya
More Than A Tree
We do tree planting differently. Our initiative to plant 1 billion trees is led by smallholder farmers and every seedling planted is an opportunity for them and their families to prosper.
How tree nurseries are changing fortunes in Kenya and Burundi
In Kenya and Burundi, farmers like Wycliffe Nzaga, Eunice Nguu, and Sylvie Nahimana have witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects of climate change on farming.
Why investing in women farmers catalyzes community development
Women smallholder farmers like Hilder Ongeri typically invest more of what they earn back into their families and communities than their male counterparts. This has knock-on effects for the generations that follow.
Introducing Tupande by One Acre Fund
One Acre Fund Kenya launches new services for farmers under a new name.
Invest in Farmers
Farmers choose to work with One Acre Fund to improve their farms and their lives. A donation helps One Acre Fund serve more hard-working farm families in Kenya.