From savings groups to Saccos: How women finance their farming projects

When Mary Cheburet, a farmer in Marigat, Baringo County, considered venturing into large-scale farming last year, her biggest challenge was raising the capital she needed.

Although she was employed, she did not have the Sh200,000 in liquid cash required to lease three acres of land to grow maize and tomatoes, as she had planned.

One thing came to her rescue: She had been saving with Boresha Sacco, which is headquartered in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County. “I took a loan of Sh200,000 from the Sacco. Five guarantors signed for me, and that helped me get started,” she says.

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Although her farm is near Perkerra River, she is now grappling with low water levels caused by the prolonged drought. Thousands of other farmers also depend on the same water source. “A large percentage of the maize crop has dried up because it is not getting enough water. When you take a loan hoping to harvest enough to repay it, only to incur losses, it is stressful,” she says.

For Avia Munyao, a livestock farmer in Mutomo, Kitui County, a village savings group has become the main source of financing for her farming activities. She rears Galla goats and sells a six-month-old goat for Sh12,000.