US Announces Ksh 230M Grant for 4,500 Kenyan Farmers; How to Access

Ambassador Meg Whitman has announced a joint USAID - Kentaste project that will create economic opportunities for over 4,500 Kenyan farmers.

Kentaste, a leading producer of coconut products in East Africa since 2014, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a small family enterprise into a global entity collaborating closely with Kenyan farmers.

Backed by Ksh232 million in funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the project's distinct goal is to broaden the footprint of the company's coconut products within the United States.

According to a statement from the US embassy, the move will increase Kentaste’s production by 67 per cent, allowing them to process over 50,000 coconuts daily.

President William Ruto (Centre) meeting a delegation from the USAID at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

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Additionally, the project will create over 90 full time employment opportunities and allow at least 1500 farmers to be onboarded as suppliers.

According to Ambassador Whitman, the project will also improve resource utilisation in various parts of the country including Coast and Nyanza regions. 

“Through partnerships like this, we are enhancing trade, transforming lives, and combating food waste and its impacts on climate change,” Ambassador Whitman stated.

Whitman went on to state that the project will be gender inclusive, with more than 30 percent of new farmers to be enrolled being women.

It was noted that the scheme will benefit Kenyan farmers especially at a time when the economic situation in the country is so grim.

The USAID-Kentaste partnership was funded through a grant from the non-profit organization, that anyone eligible can apply for.

 “With Kentaste, I now have consistent earnings and better farming techniques,” stated a local farmer who was identified as Abdalla Juma Mwaramunda. “This partnership is transforming our community.”

President William Ruto greeting farmers in Meru on Saturday April 22, 2023.

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How to access the USAID grant in Kenya

The following steps explain how to access the USAID grant in Kenya.

1. Identify a funding opportunity: This can be done by visiting the USAID website or on grants.gov. 

2. Read the funding opportunity announcement carefully: Make sure that your organisation or project is eligible for the funding opportunity and that you meet all of the requirements.

3. Assemble a team to come up with your proposal which should be sent to USAID Kenya before the deadline.