Kenya has obtained a $2.08 million grant to enhance climate resilience in its farming sector, with the agreement signed by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and IFAD Country Director for Kenya Matteo Marchisio.
The money, supplied by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and overseen by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is part of the Climate Smart Agribusiness Partnerships for Resilience (CSAPR) initiative and will reinforce climate information systems throughout the agricultural value chain.
The programme seeks to narrow the divide between the provision of weather and climate data and its practical use by farmers and other actors, allowing more accurate choices on planting dates, crop selection, irrigation timing and responses to droughts or floods.
Mbadi stated: “This funding will enable farmers and agribusinesses to access and use climate information to manage climate-related risks and improve productivity,” after the signing.
Agribusinesses are expected to apply the improved information to optimise sourcing, storage, processing and distribution operations.
The agricultural sector remains exposed to erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells and other climate shocks, prompting the initiative to link climate services more effectively with the value chain.
Implementation will be coordinated with the Integrated Natural Resources Management Program (INReMP), which aims to improve sustainable natural-resource management and boost rural livelihoods in selected counties.
Overall, the effort aims to strengthen resilience in rural areas and enhance livelihoods through sustainable resource management while helping farmers and agribusinesses make better-informed decisions.
The grant arrives as the government and development partners pursue higher agricultural productivity, greater food security and protection for rural communities.
No details have been released on the timing of disbursement, the counties targeted, the number of beneficiaries or the specific interventions to be funded, and further information will be needed to assess the grant’s impact.
