Kenya has secured $36 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support a major climate resilience project aimed at transforming agriculture in the Lake Region Economic Bloc. The funding, announced during the 41st GCF Board meeting in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea, will promote climate-resilient and low-carbon practices across six key value chains: dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and African leafy vegetables.
The project aims to benefit over 2.7 million people by equipping smallholder farmers and producer cooperatives with climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices. With agriculture in Kenya being highly vulnerable to climate change, this initiative seeks to enhance food security, boost incomes, and create sustainable farming ecosystems in the region.
A delegation from the Kenyan government, led by Cabinet Secretary of National Treasury John Mbadi, participated in the signing ceremony. In his remarks, Mbadi emphasized the critical role of smallholder farmers, including women and youth, in addressing climate change. He reaffirmed the Kenyan government’s commitment to supporting FAO’s GCF program, ensuring its full implementation to enhance climate resilience in agriculture.
Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer of GCF, highlighted the importance of the investment, stating, “This project will support smallholder farmers in Kenya in protecting their livelihoods against climate risk. GCF’s investment will strengthen agricultural value chains and increase community resilience.”
The funding and subsidiary agreements were signed on the same day between GCF, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Kenyan government, marking the official start of the climate-resilient agricultural project. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, Agriterra, and the Government of Denmark. Over 143,000 farmers will receive training and resources to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring long-term resilience against climate change and improved household incomes.
Since 2016, FAO and GCF have worked together to scale up investments in high-impact projects aimed at making the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable. This latest funding reaffirms their commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts to combat climate change while enhancing food security and economic stability in the agricultural sector.
As the effects of climate change continue to challenge food production globally, Kenya’s proactive approach to integrating climate-smart agricultural practices is a significant step toward securing a sustainable future for its farmers and communities.
