In a significant move to enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience among smallholder farmers in Kenya, Mercy Corps Ventures has partnered with Stable Foods to launch a pioneering pilot project. This initiative aims to test IoT-based irrigation systems alongside regenerative agriculture training, specifically designed for farmers in the Laikipia region, which has been historically underserved in terms of irrigation infrastructure.
Maria Gomez, an innovation manager at Mercy Corps Ventures, emphasizes the critical need for this pilot. After engaging with over 500 farmers across Kenya, Andrew Massaro, CEO of Stable Foods, identified a common challenge: the lack of consistent access to water. This issue is particularly acute in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), where low rainfall and land degradation severely limit agricultural productivity. Currently, only 1% to 3% of arable land in Sub-Saharan Africa is irrigated, leaving farmers vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The pilot will extend Stable Foods’ services beyond the water-rich areas surrounding Lake Victoria, utilizing borehole water to assess the feasibility of its irrigation-as-a-service model in regions where water is scarce. This approach not only aims to improve irrigation access but also seeks to integrate IoT technology to monitor water usage effectively. By doing so, Stable Foods hopes to enhance water management, minimize wastage, and reduce costs for farmers.
The implications of this pilot are profound. Implementing effective irrigation and regenerative farming practices can significantly improve soil quality and boost smallholder productivity. Traditional large-scale irrigation projects often falter due to high costs and unsuitable local conditions, leading to economic losses. In contrast, small-scale irrigation systems that leverage local water sources have shown promise in supporting diversified livelihoods. However, affordability remains a barrier for many of the poorest farmers, as highlighted by research from the International Water Management Institute.
Stable Foods is addressing this gap by offering an ultra-low-cost “irrigation-as-a-service” subscription, which eliminates the need for upfront capital investments. This model has already demonstrated success in the Lake Victoria region, where farmers have reported a tenfold increase in production since adopting these irrigation services. However, the effectiveness of this model in drier ASAL regions remains untested, making this pilot crucial for its potential scalability.
The pilot is designed to measure a variety of key performance indicators (KPIs), including the number of farmers accessing irrigation for the first time, the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, and changes in yield and revenue per acre. These metrics will provide valuable insights into the viability of borehole irrigation-as-a-service in ASAL regions, as well as the overall impact on farmers’ profitability and environmental sustainability.
Through this initiative, Mercy Corps Ventures and Stable Foods aim to demonstrate that appropriate irrigation, combined with regenerative agriculture practices, can significantly enhance soil health and productivity. If successful, the model could be expanded to other regions of Kenya and similar emerging markets, providing a lifeline to smallholder farmers who currently lack affordable irrigation solutions.
As this pilot unfolds, stakeholders will be closely monitoring its outcomes, with the hope that it will pave the way for innovative, scalable solutions to improve agricultural resilience in the face of climate challenges. The insights gleaned from this pilot will be shared in a follow-up article, highlighting the lessons learned and potential pathways for future initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable farming communities.