The Backpack Farm Agriculture Program (BPF) is pleased to announce the launch of a new partnership with Equity Bank. The Bank will advance agri-business loans directly to clients (smallholder farmers) recommended to the bank by BPF to procure green agriculture inputs. Farmers will be supported with training through its network of training and distribution centers (also a franchise program). Backpack Farm products and services include:
- Soil Testing
- Certified Seeds
- Fusion Nutrition Program (85% organic model: soil fertility & crop protection inputs)
- Knapsack Sprayer
- Drip irrigation (gravity fed including tank, water filter, sub-main and drip lines)
- Protection Equipment
- Training manual and crop journal
- 40 Technical Training Classes
"I am thrilled to be working with the team at Equity Bank to offer fair-termed financial products to BPF Farmers. I am confident the combination of our technical training, green products and their financial, extension services are an ideal match to maximize production of profits of Kenya's smallest green farmers," said Rachel Zedeck, MD of BPF Kenya.
BPF is committed to the ideology that training is the key element to transforming the lives of smallholder farmers not only in Kenya and East Africa but around the world. Training is a particularly important element in institutionalizing better water management. This loan agreement is the latest innovation from Backpack Farm Kenya supporting smallholder farmers. As part of its commitment to training innovation, it is now offering mobile extension services.
In August, the BPF team launched "KUZA Doctor," a mobile based (SMS) tool providing text-based, technical support to smallholder farmers in Kenya. Farmers voluntarily register to receive messages in either English or Swahili. In support of these efforts, the BPF team partnered with Mercy Corps.
For more information, please contact GROW@Backpackfarm.com
Backpack Farm Agriculture Program
