Farmers in Kenya are set to benefit from a Ksh180 billion pledge by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates aimed at improving access to agricultural technologies. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that the funding will be disbursed over four years to expand innovations that help smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia become more resilient to climate challenges.
The initiative will focus on improving crop yields, boosting livestock production, providing digital advisory services, and restoring degraded land. According to Gates, investing in the resilience of smallholder farmers is “one of the smartest, most impactful things we can do for people and the planet.”
Kenya, being part of sub-Saharan Africa, stands to benefit significantly from this initiative. The funding is expected to close the persistent financing gaps that have hindered global food systems, especially for small-scale farmers who produce over one-third of the world’s food but receive less than one per cent of public climate finance.
In Kenya, smallholder farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector, producing between 75 to 80 per cent of the country’s food supply. Estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture suggest that Kenya has about 4.5 million small-scale farmers comprising crop growers, pastoralists, and fisherfolk—while the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) puts the number at over 7.5 million.
Most of these farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture and face increasing challenges from droughts, floods, and soil degradation. Regions like the Rift Valley, Eastern, and Coastal Kenya host the largest numbers of small-scale farmers.
The Gates Foundation’s investment aligns with its broader mission to lift millions from poverty by 2045 through sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation. By prioritizing smallholder farmers, this initiative promises to empower Kenyan rural communities and strengthen national food security.
