Empowering Kenya’s Organic Smallholders: IFOAM’s Pilot Market Access Training
Between 13 and 15 May 2025, the Global Academy of IFOAM - Organics International launched the first pilot training of our Market Access Curriculum for Smallholder Farmers in Kenya. Supported by Oxfam US and in collaboration with Sylvia Kuria, Martin Kimani and Pauline Wangui, the initiative aims to enhance market access for organic smallholder farmers across Kenya.
Sixteen farmers from the Rift Valley, Western, Eastern, Coast, and Central regions participated in the training, which covered topics such as cost calculation, financial management, marketing, Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), advocacy, and food systems, with the valuable support of Patricia Wambugu, Curriculum and Instruction in Egerton University, Kenya. A highlight of the training was a field visit to the Community Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Environment Project (CSHEP) in Kiserian, Nairobi, where participants observed a PGS led by Master Trainer Esther Kagal.
This pilot is part of a broader initiative running from October 2024 to September 2025, developed by a diverse team of practitioners, educators, Kenyan experts and facilitators, representatives from Oxfam US, and the Global Academy of IFOAM - Organics International. The pilot marks a significant milestone in co-developing a curriculum that addresses the real needs of organic family farmers on the ground.
The collaboration between IFOAM – Organics International, Oxfam US, and local partners such as CSHEP exemplifies a commitment to strengthening livelihoods and promoting sustainable agriculture. Through initiatives like this, smallholder farmers are better equipped to navigate market challenges and contribute to resilient food systems.