At least 30,000 smallholder dairy farmers are set to gain access to financial services, digital payment systems and stronger markets following the launch of a new agricultural programme.
KCB Foundation, KCB Bank Kenya and Heifer International have launched the Farmer Visibility initiative, also known as FaVi, to help farmers build digital identities and formal financial records.
The nine-month pilot will run from August 2026 to April 2027 across Central, Rift Valley and Western Kenya.
The first phase will target farmers in Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Baringo counties, working through 60 dairy cooperatives and farmer producer organisations.
Through the programme, farmers’ profiles, milk deliveries, payments and other transactions will be recorded digitally.
The records are expected to help farmers build credible financial histories, making it easier for them to access savings products, loans, insurance and financing for farm inputs.
Speaking during the launch, KCB Foundation Managing Director Mendi Njonjo said the initiative would combine digital innovation with practical agricultural support.
“Through the Farmer Visibility initiative, we are combining digital innovation, financial inclusion and practical agricultural support to help smallholder dairy farmers build resilient businesses, increase productivity and improve household incomes,” Njonjo stated.
According to the organisations, many small-scale dairy farmers remain locked out of formal financing despite supplying more than 80 per cent of Kenya’s milk.
This has been linked to limited transaction records, delayed payments and inadequate access to affordable credit, insurance and quality farm inputs.
Under the new programme, farmers will also receive financial literacy training, dairy production support and access to digital payment systems.
They will be trained on animal health, breeding, feed planning, milk quality and farm record-keeping.
KCB Bank will provide digital accounts, milk payment solutions, savings and credit products, input financing and insurance services.
The bank will also use transaction data generated through the platform to develop financial products suited to the needs of dairy farmers.
Heifer International Kenya Country Director Wairimu Munyinyi-Wahome said the project would help make farmers more visible within formal financial and agricultural systems.
“Smallholder farmers are already active participants in Kenya’s dairy economy, but many remain invisible within the formal systems that should support their growth,” she said.
The partners plan to expand the programme to other dairy-producing regions after the pilot phase.
