How Bundled Climate Services and Cooperatives Are Transforming Smallholder Farming in Kenya

Smallholder farmers in Kenya are transforming their farming practices through a bundled service model by ECREA, KALRO, KMD and the county government of Nakuru. In March 2025, a donor visit in Nakuru showcased how this model boosts resilience to climate shocks.

For years, smallholder farmers in Kenya have faced fragmented access to essential agricultural services. Weather and climate information services (WCIS), quality seeds and agro-advisory support were often provided independently, making it difficult for farmers to make timely and well-informed decisions. Even when improved seeds were available, they were often planted at the wrong time. When weather forecasts were issued, farmers lacked the right crop varieties or missed critical agronomic advice.

To address this gap, the Enhancing Climate Resilience in East Africa (ECREA) project, in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), developed an integrated service delivery model. This model bundles WCIS, certified seeds, and timely agro-advisory services to ensure that farmers receive all the critical components they need—at the right time.