Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity 3rd Quarterly Report 2018

The project focuses on five key areas: market systems organization and coordination, capacity building and enhancing profitability of lead agribusiness firms, increasing value addition and product diversification through milk processing, expanding access to financial services, and increasing trade of targeted commodities. Market systems organization and coordination is a critical component of the project, with a focus on building the capacity of lead agribusiness firms to improve their profitability and competitiveness. This includes providing training and technical assistance to firms, as well as supporting the development of value chains for key commodities such as milk and dairy products. The project also places a strong emphasis on increasing value addition and product diversification through milk processing. This involves supporting the development of milk processing facilities and providing training to farmers on best practices for milk production and processing. The goal is to increase the value of milk and dairy products, making them more competitive in the market and improving the livelihoods of farmers. In addition to these initiatives, the project is also working to expand access to financial services for farmers and agribusinesses. This includes providing training and technical assistance to financial institutions on youth and women-adapted approaches, as well as supporting the development of financial products and services that meet the needs of smallholder farmers. The project is also focused on increasing trade of targeted commodities, including milk and dairy products. This involves supporting the development of trade relationships between Kenya and other countries, as well as providing training and technical assistance to farmers and agribusinesses on export procedures and regulations. The project is being implemented in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including national government institutions, county governments, and other USAID and donor programs. The project is also working closely with local communities, including farmers and agribusinesses, to ensure that their needs and concerns are taken into account. In terms of progress, the project has made significant strides in the first year of implementation. Key achievements include the completion of a market systems assessment, the development of a first-year implementation plan, and the establishment of a partnership and innovation fund. The project has also conducted a range of training and technical assistance activities, including market systems trainings and staff capacity building on monitoring and evaluation. Looking ahead, the project will continue to focus on building the capacity of lead agribusiness firms, increasing value addition and product diversification, and expanding access to financial services. The project will also continue to work closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the needs and concerns of farmers and agribusinesses are taken into account. In terms of lessons learned, the project has identified several key challenges and opportunities. These include the need for greater coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, the importance of building the capacity of lead agribusiness firms, and the need for more effective monitoring and evaluation systems. The project will continue to work on addressing these challenges and opportunities in the coming year. Overall, the Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity is making significant progress in improving the competitiveness, inclusivity, and resilience of Kenya's agricultural market systems. The project's focus on building the capacity of lead agribusiness firms, increasing value addition and product diversification, and expanding access to financial services is critical to achieving its goals and improving the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses.