A consortium comprising the Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), MicroSave Consulting (MSC) and Tegemeo Institute recently held an inception meeting with the County Executive Committee Office for Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County to align on the rollout of activities aimed at strengthening private-sector participation in agriculture.

The engagement sets the stage for coordinated implementation under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), with a focus on market-driven growth and structured private sector engagement.

The initiative seeks to accelerate investment across priority value chains by developing a comprehensive private-sector database, strengthening value-chain platforms, and enhancing market access for smallholder farmers. Key actions include mapping and profiling agribusiness actors, convening county agriculture network forums, facilitating business-to-business linkages, and identifying investment barriers and opportunities.

In Uasin Gishu, discussions highlighted challenges in dairy and cooperative-led aggregation, milk quality and logistics gaps, and the need to diversify from low-return crops toward value addition and higher-value enterprises.

The County noted that NAVCDP interventions are currently being implemented through 29 Farmer Producer Organisations across 30 wards, supporting animal health, dairy productivity, mechanisation, fodder production, energy solutions, logistics, and progress toward milk chilling infrastructure. With strong county commitment, the consortium will now advance private sector mapping, formalise the county agriculture network forum, streamline data-sharing mechanisms, and roll out the agreed engagement plan to drive inclusive, sustainable agricultural transformation.

NAVCDP continues to guide SACCOs in vetting eligible farmer groups, leveraging its knowledge of 29 FPOs across 30 wards in Uasin Gishu. Ongoing county interventions include animal health and dairy productivity measures, energy solutions to reduce reliance on the grid, milk chilling infrastructure, mechanization support (tractors and hay bailing equipment), logistics support, and fodder stores. These interventions demonstrate the county’s commitment to ensuring farmers benefit from structured, market-oriented support.

The partners also discussed establishing a network platform to link SACCOs, farmers, private investors, and technology providers. The platform will help close investment gaps, strengthen market linkages, and improve coordination across value chains.

Engagement with technology companies such as Microsoft was explored to support digital tools for SACCO management, market access, and performance tracking. The meeting was attended by Dr. Sam Kotut, CECM Agriculture, and Eng. Abraham Kiptalam, Chief Officer, who both reaffirmed the county’s commitment to supporting SACCOs and enabling private sector engagement in agricultural value chains.

The initiative forms part of a 12-month programme running until January 2027, with clear targets to improve SACCO capacity, expand financial access, strengthen value chains, and ensure active participation of women and youth. By supporting SACCOs with both finance and technical expertise, MESPT and MSC aim to indirectly empower farmers, foster market-led growth, and promote sustainable, profitable agribusinesses under NAVCDP.