Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy, supporting millions of households, creating jobs, and contributing significantly to national food security.
Despite its importance, access to affordable and flexible financing continues to be one of the biggest hurdles facing farmers.
Many growers struggle to secure the capital needed to purchase quality seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, and other essential farm inputs, often limiting productivity and profitability.
To bridge this financing gap, NCBA Bank is providing tailored financial solutions designed to empower farmers and strengthen agricultural value chains.
Through its Agribusiness Scheme Loan, the bank is helping contracted farmers access the funding they need to invest in their farms while aligning repayment schedules with agricultural production cycles.
The Agribusiness Scheme Loan is specifically designed for farmers engaged in contract farming arrangements with seed companies, cooperative societies, and other institutions that provide a buy-back guarantee for crops or seeds produced.
The facility finances the purchase of key farm inputs, including seeds, fertilisers, chemicals, and other farm operation requirements, enabling farmers to focus on improving yields and meeting contractual obligations.
“We offer loans to finance the purchase of farm inputs by farmers who are engaged to produce crops or seeds for scheme companies such as seeds, chemicals, fertilisers and related farm operation activities,” NCBA states.
Recognising the unique nature of farming, NCBA has structured the facility to offer flexible repayment periods that correspond with crop cycles and harvesting seasons.
This approach allows farmers to repay the loan when they generate income from their produce, easing financial pressure during the production period.
“Farming requires substantial investment long before income starts coming in. Through the scheme loan, I was able to manage farm operations efficiently and meet the quality standards required by the contracting company. As a result, my earnings have improved, and I am now planning to diversify into additional crops,” says Mary Atieno, a contract sunflower farmer, in Siaya County.
The financing solution offers loan amounts of up to Sh6 million, providing farmers with sufficient capital to undertake both small-scale and large-scale farming operations.
Who is eligible?
The loan is available to farmers who have maintained a farming relationship with their scheme company for at least two years.
In addition, the facility features flexible security requirements, making it more accessible to farmers who may not possess conventional forms of collateral often demanded by traditional lending products.
Eligible farmers interested in this loan are directed to visit the nearest NCBA bank branch countrywide for further application guidance.
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