USAID/Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity FY 2018 Annual Report

The program focuses on five priority areas: competitive, inclusive, and resilient agricultural market systems; diverse production and improved productivity; policy environment for market systems development; integration of women and youth in agricultural market systems; and collaborative action and learning for market systems change. In FY 2018, KCDMS achieved significant milestones in its priority areas. In competitive, inclusive, and resilient agricultural market systems, the program strengthened market systems organization and coordination, built the capacity of lead agri-business firms, and expanded access to financial services. The program also increased trade in targeted commodities, such as horticulture and dairy products. In diverse production and improved productivity, KCDMS increased the productivity of targeted commodities, including horticulture and dairy products, and promoted the adoption of farmer best practices and technological upgrades. The program also expanded agricultural input supply systems and increased access to diverse, safe, and nutritious foods. In policy environment for market systems development, KCDMS supported national-level policy formulation systems, county-level policy implementation systems, and policy environment to support agricultural markets. The program also developed a policy brief on agricultural market systems development. In integration of women and youth in agricultural market systems, KCDMS conducted a social inclusion assessment and developed a strategy to promote the engagement of women and youth in commercial agriculture. The program also provided special grant opportunities to incentivize youth and women's engagement in commercial agriculture and built the capacity of KCDMS partners, public, and private stakeholders. In collaborative action and learning for market systems change, KCDMS conducted market systems trainings, developed a learning agenda, and conducted annual learning reviews and learning sharing at other platforms. The program also collaborated with other stakeholders to promote market systems change. Throughout FY 2018, KCDMS worked closely with its partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries and Irrigation, to achieve its objectives. The program also established a database to track its progress and conducted mid-year reviews to assess its performance. In terms of partnerships and innovation, KCDMS developed a Partnerships and Innovation Fund manual and established a grants process to support innovative projects and partnerships. The program also awarded grants to support the development of market systems in Kenya. Overall, KCDMS made significant progress in FY 2018, achieving its objectives in all five priority areas. The program's focus on market systems development, social inclusion, and policy environment has the potential to improve the competitiveness, inclusivity, and resilience of Kenya's agricultural market systems.