At least 5,000 women and youth in Kirinyaga and Embu counties are set to benefit from a new financing and livelihood programme aimed at improving household incomes through climate-smart and regenerative agriculture.
The initiative, dubbed the Flourish Project, is being implemented by the Rainforest Alliance with funding from the Coca-Cola Foundation.
The programme focuses on empowering rural women and youth farmers who have historically faced barriers to financial resources and agricultural opportunities.
Speaking during the launch of the project in Kagio, Kirinyaga County, Rainforest Alliance Country Director Marion Ng’anga said the initiative aims to support marginalized groups, particularly rural women who often remain excluded due to gender stereotypes and patriarchal structures in agriculture.
Nganga noted that lack of access to financial support and innovative funding solutions has made it difficult for many women farmers to adopt modern farming technologies and digital tools that could improve productivity and access to affordable credit.
She said the Flourish project will introduce beneficiaries to financial literacy training, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), and digital financial platforms, enabling them to access affordable financing from fintech companies and microfinance institutions.
“Through the project, we hope to include marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, and support them beyond the certified commodities Rainforest Alliance traditionally focuses on, such as tea and coffee,” Nganga said.
The 18-month programme, which began late last year running until April 2027, will also promote diversification into high-value crops and agroforestry, while equipping farmers with skills in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture.
Kirinyaga County Agriculture Economist, Mercy Mwangi, welcomed the initiative, noting that Rainforest Alliance has previously supported farmers in the coffee and tea value chains, especially in certification and sustainable farming practices.
She said the new project will enable farmers, especially women and youth, to access green financing and livelihood support, strengthening their ability to adapt to climate change while improving household incomes.
“As a county we appreciate the work Rainforest Alliance has been doing in supporting our farmers on issues of sustainable agriculture and climate change,” she said, adding that the county government will work closely with the organization to ensure farmers benefit from the programme.
Embu County Director of Agriculture, Patrick Njeru ,also lauded the partnership, saying collaboration between county governments and development partners is critical in strengthening agricultural productivity and climate resilience. Njeru said the project will promote climate-change adaptation through regenerative agricultural technologies.
“Climate change is real and we must adapt or we perish. Partnerships like this will help our farmers increase productivity while adopting sustainable agricultural practices,” he said.
He assured Rainforest that both Embu and Kirinyaga county will provide a good environment for the partnership.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed optimism that the programme will improve their livelihoods.
Grace Nyawira, a youth beneficiary engaged in egg aggregation, said she hopes to expand into poultry farming through support from the project.
“We are hoping to learn financial literacy and online savings. If we get support, I plan to start my own egg production instead of only aggregating,” she said.
Another farmer from Embu County, Josephant Nthiga, said the programme will also benefit farmers who grow crops such as green grams, cowpeas and sorghum in areas where tea and coffee are not grown.
Nthiga said the project will empower farmers financially and help families meet essential needs such as education for their children. He added that farmers in his community are eager to participate in the programme and share its benefits with others.
By Mutai Kipng’etich
