Agricultural Cooperatives are specific organizations that unite single growers to increase their yields and boost earnings. Compared to individual farmers, cooperative members are more economically protected and face lower risks.
These organizations pool together inputs to maximize production and further promote the capacity building of the farmers. Farmers under agricultural Cooperatives tend to enjoy a lot of benefits such as access to loans, information pertinent to agricultural production, and a ready market for their produce.
In Nyandarua County’s Njabini area, an initiative called Farmers Together is revolutionizing potato farming for over 5,000 households.
The Initiative employs an agricultural cooperative model where farmers work together by synergizing skills and sharing the available resources.
The collaborative effort has reduced the challenge of the high cost of production individual farmers encounter, given the high cost of farm inputs.
The initiative has saved farmers from middlemen exploitation, and members can successfully secure farm inputs at a reduced price, making them more affordable and accessible to all members.
As such, the farmers are witnessing a remarkable doubling of yields, enhanced income, and improved access to essential farming inputs.
The initiative ensures farmers employ the best farming practices that balance high yields and environmental sustainability. Among the practices is crop rotation which has helped a section of the farmers double their yields.
Farmers Together has implemented a collective harvesting schedule, allowing different producer groups to harvest their crops simultaneously.
This synchronized approach enables farmers to cost-effectively connect with wholesalers directly, eliminating intermediaries and securing higher profit margins for themselves. By streamlining the supply chain, farmers can maximize their returns and improve market access.
Farmers under the Initiative also receive financial and agribusiness training, where they get equipped with vital skills in budgeting, debt management, and savings.
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