Kenya, known as the “breadbasket of Africa,” possesses vast agricultural potential, much of which lies unutilized, leading to massive food shortages across the country. Most farmers still rely on organic rain for watering their farms hence devastations when the rains fail.
In Kenya, agriculture is not only a crucial sector for ensuring food security but also a driving force behind the country’s economic growth. The full potential of agribusiness in Kenya remains untapped due to various challenges faced by farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
According to the United States Agency for International Development, agriculture accounts for a significant share of Kenya’s GDP, employing a large portion of the population, particularly in rural areas. Despite this, the sector has struggled with limited access to financing, inadequate infrastructure, and technological barriers. These challenges hinder productivity, limit innovation, and hamper the sector’s contribution to overall economic growth.
Banks such as Stanbic Bank of Kenya play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth by providing financial services and supporting businesses across various sectors. When it comes to agribusiness, their role becomes even more crucial.
For years, lack of access to affordable credit has remained one of the major hurdles faced by farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs in Kenya. Stanbic Bank has bridged this gap by developing tailored financial products across the agricultural ecosystem such as Chai Loan for tea farmers in Kericho, that cater to the specific needs of agribusinesses such as providing tea farmers with financing of up to 80% on tea leaves.
Through their unwavering support for Agribusiness, Stanbic Bank has enabled farmers to have access to much-needed finance by helping farmers sustain their cashflows, helping them fund their resources, vehicles, and farm equipment, as well as cushioning them against unforeseen financial future.
Framing for large-scale farmers requires a lot of heavy machinery. Sometimes, this weighs heavily on the farmer in terms of acquiring them. Stanbic Bank has this covered by providing asset finance for any farm machinery that the farmer might need. The lender offers a wide range of packages to suit one’s business’ cash flow and tax requirements. They finance Tractors, Harvesters, Centre pivots, and Solar panels among others. Additionally, the lender offers crop insurance for Coffee and Livestock.
There is no doubt that Kenya’s agribusiness sector holds immense potential to drive economic growth, alleviate poverty, and ensure food security. Realizing this potential requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders, with banks playing a central role. Policymakers, regulators, and banks must collaborate closely to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation, supports sustainable practices, and nurtures the growth of agribusiness.