INNOVATION
FtMA as an enabler of change
Innovation is crucial to disrupt hunger. Innovation is not merely limited to state-of-the art technology
and the latest ideas. It also involves developing new approaches and tools that enable effective and
efficient assistance.
FtMA considers digitization as the key to solving many of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and the agricultural sector. Therefore, it prioritizes digital solutions that offer e-extension, digital marketplaces, and data collection and analysis.
FtMA has partnered with various private sector companies to develop and roll out a holistic digital marketplace. The digital marketplace enables all actors in the agricultural ecosystem such as off takers, input companies, service providers, and Farmer Service Centers (FSCs) to connect and interact. The platform is also a database as it tracks the history of interactions and transactions between various players on the network. It also provides an e-learning platform where micropreneurs and FSCs can receive training and mentorship in agribusiness.
GENDER
Women are the bedrock of food security, and we must promote gender equality. Women play a key role in guaranteeing food security and the nutritional well-being of the household.
Regionally – 51% of farmers at FtMA programme are women.
Key findings from a 2021 gender impact assessment 1 in Kenya of FtMA’s FSC based service to farmers included:
- Improved farm productivity: Women farmers have seen improved yields and productivity
given the FtMA training on good agronomic methods and practices such as the best time to
plant, when and how to use inputs. - Increased Incomes: FtMA has helped women FSC leads diversify income streams. FSC leads can more easily venture into Agribusiness and other ventures e.g. Agrovets, through business coaching provided by FtMA. Women FSC leads have reported enhancement of their entrepreneurship and business skills through mentors and training on good business practices such as bookkeeping.
- Time-savings: Women farmers save time as they do not have to spend time looking for markets, as they are linked to off-takers directly. Women farmers have access to timely information from FSC leads, saving women time to search for information on farming, markets, etc..
- Decision-making power: There is increased decision-making power by women in the household as spouses trust the knowledge received from the trainings, and therefore allow women to make more contributions to farming decisions. There is increased decision-making power by women in the household as spouses trust the knowledge received from the trainings, and therefore allow women to make more contributions to farming decisions.