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MULTI-YEAR PROJECT

Banana Value Chain Development Implementation

Funding: $400,000

Locations: Kirinyaga county in five sub-counties namely Kirinyaga East, Kirinyaga West, Mwea East, Mwea West, and Kirinyaga Central.

Duration: January 2013 – 2018

Project Objective:

The project’s overall objective was to enhance smallholder banana farmers’ incomes and livelihoods through linkage to sustainable markets such as high-end retail stores in Kenya and export markets where possible, with the envisioned outcome being an increase in the volumes of banana sales among the target County’s smallholder farmer beneficiaries.
The project’s key sub-objectives included:

  • Building Farmer Organisations’ (FOs) technical capabilities to respond to market needs and demands.
  • Strengthening FOs’ institutional capabilities for win-win partnerships.

The County Government of Kirinyaga was a key partner in the implementation of the project from its outset with NeoKenya and the Banana Growers Association of Kenya (BGAK) initially serving as partners to provide access to export markets for bananas and facilitate the process of organizing banana farmers respectively.

Accomplishments

  • 1,500 farmers trained on improved banana productivity.
  • A total of 16,250 plantlets had been sold through the nurseries as a result of EAMDA’s training on nursery sustainability model.
  • A total of 11,357 farmers trained against a target of 11,000 in all the five Sub Counties of Kirinyaga County.
  • Through partnership with service providers such as SoilCare and CropNut Kenya during the trainings, farmers purchased 50MTs of agricultural lime resulting in increased yields for over 300 farmers.
  • A total of 20 demonstration plots established
  • A total of 411 farmer organisations formed in improving yields resulting in total sales of 7,995 MTs.
  • A total of 62 business forums
  • A total of 54 collection centres against a target of 10 were set up enabling farmers’ sale of 7,995MTs of bananas against a target of 2,000MTs.

Project

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Isaac Samoei

Regional Coordinator - Western and Nyanza

Isaac Samoei is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the fields of market systems development, financial inclusion, project management, and organizational development. As a Regional Coordinator for Western and Nyanza under the KCDMS project, he is responsible for coordinating project activities, providing technical expertise, and serving as a representative for the project.

He is skilled in facilitating private sector forums, providing technical assistance to financial service providers, managing grants and partnerships, and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders. With a background in market systems development, Isaac is committed to improving the productivity and income levels of small-holder farmers. He has a proven track record of success, having previously served as a Project Coordinator for the USAID Kenya Agricultural Value Chain Enterprises (KAVES) FINTRAC project.

Elijah Musina

Business Analyst

Elijah is an enthusiastic Business Data Analyst with a Bachelor’s in Applied Statistics with Computing and a Business Intelligence Analyst certification. He is well-versed in mathematical concepts, statistics, and data analysis. He is proficient in utilizing programming languages such as Advanced Excel, R, Python, and SQL to extract valuable insights from data.

With a proven track record of identifying trends, patterns, and key findings, Elijah has a wealth of experience utilizing data to inform strategic decisions across various industries, including improving operational efficiency, optimizing agriculture value chains, and developing business frameworks for smallholder farmers. As a vital member of the data analytics team at EAMDA, Elijah leverages data to make data-informed decisions.

Tony Okuku

Digital Content Coordinator

Anthony Okuku is a digital content coordinator at East Africa Market Development Associates, focusing on Communication for Sustainable Development (CS4D) and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) materials in the East and Southern African region.

He has over 6 years of experience in content creation and has produced materials for organizations such as UNICEF/CARE, PSI/Soul City, and Technoserve, among others. He is also a consultant illustrator and graphic designer and has produced educational materials for publishers like Pearson Southern Africa, Longman, and Macmillan. Anthony is an active member of the International Communication Association-Africa and the C4SD Kenyan chapter and has led a number of EAMDA’s communications assignments including the Digital Green’s Developing Local Extension Capacity project.

Oscar Thoya

Business Analyst

Oscar Thoya is a business analyst at east Africa market development associates. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Statistics with over 3 years in Data and Business analysis. He believes in organizations/businesses using actionable insights from data to make data-informed decisions. He possesses skills and experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and data management.

Daisy Kariuki

Procurement and Admin Assistant

Daisy Kariuki is a highly experienced procurement and administration officer with over 5 years of experience in supply chain management, customer relation management, budgeting and planning.

Daisy holds extensive knowledge of business practices having graduated with an Economics and Statistics Degree from Chuka University. Drawn to EAMDA, Daisy appreciates the teamwork, cooperation and great core values of the EAMDA fraternity.

Mercy Kariuki

Finance and HR Manager

Mercy Kariuki is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting & Business Administration from Strathmore university and a Diploma in Business Management. She has over 10 years’ of extensive experience providing Financial Management services, Project Budgeting & Reporting, Grants Management, Project Administration and Coordination, Human resource management, Payroll Accounting and Financial Monitoring & Evaluation.
 
Having worked on various local and international organizations, including USAID-funded programs, Mercy’s combination of experience, skills, education, motivation to excel and ability to work in a team environment with culturally diverse groups of people ensure successful program outcomes.

Elizabeth Mutiso

Deputy Finance and HR

Elizabeth Mutiso is A Certified Public Accountant and Financial Analyst with over five years in accounting. She has a strong background in both accounting and Finance.
 
With her combined skills and expertise, she provides a wide range of services at East Africa Market Development Associate Ltd, including preparation and filing tax returns, conducting audits of financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards, providing financial management services such as budgeting, providing financial statement preparation, including balance sheet, income statement and cashflow statements, analyzing financial data to make predictions about future financial performance and ensuring that the organization is up-to-date with regulatory requirements.

Peter Kihoro

Business Analyst

Peter Kihoro is an accredited holder of a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and a Diploma in Business Administration from Thika Technical Training Institute. With four years of experience in accounting and business development, Peter has a high level of expertise in financial analysis, budget preparation, and financial reporting and management.

As a business analyst at East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA), Peter utilizes his finance and business administration background in the provision of Business Development Services.

Mercy Wairimu

Office Administrator

Mercy Wairimu brings a wealth of experience to her role as an office assistant at East Africa Market Development Associates. With over a decade of experience in administrative activities, she has a deep understanding of the intricacies of office operations and is able to manage day-to-day tasks with efficiency and precision.

She is a problem solver who is quick to identify and resolve issues, keeping the office running smoothly. Mercy’s ability to be flexible and take on different roles as needed, makes her a valuable asset to the team. She is known for her warm personality and is a pleasure to work with, bringing a positive energy to the office every day. With her attention to detail, her dedication to her work, and her desire to help others, Mercy is an integral part of the EAMDA team.

Philemon Moseti

Business Writter

Philemon Moseti is an enthusiastic Researcher with over 3 years of experience in Agricultural Research. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and is currently pursuing his Masters in the same field.

Phil holds a historical tenure of success in delivering strategic, technical and non-technical support with key focus on programme design and implementation of rural development projects; supporting programmatic leadership through efficient and effective management of resources and people; handling external stakeholder relationships with institutions, delivery partners as well as donors while spearheading fundraising initiatives both nationally and internationally through concept development.

Mary Msungu

Business Writter

Mary N. Musungu is a Business Writer at East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA). With her expertise in English and Kiswahili and years of teaching experience, Mary deeply understands how to use language effectively to communicate.

Her Master’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in strategic management, gives her a sharp focus on utilising her skills to analyze the business environment and provide informed and critical analysis in her writing. Mary’s knowledge in project management and monitoring and evaluation adds to her range of knowledge and ability to handle business writing with a strong foundation of information.

Michael Were

Digital Content Assistant

As a Digital Content Assistant, Michael Were brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the team. With a Bachelor’s degree in Film Production and Animation, he is well-versed in various creative techniques such as photography, graphic design, and video editing.
 
Michael is a recent graduate and eager to apply his knowledge and skills to create and grow in the industry. He is passionate about being part of the EAMDA team alongside its slogan, “seeking solutions to systematic failures” which he will embody through visual storytelling.

Subira Mukami

Senior Project Manager

Subira Mukami is a change-making Project Manager at East Africa Market Development Associates. With 5 years of experience in agribusiness development, she brings a unique blend of leadership, communication, and project management skills to the table. At EAMDA, Subira has donned multiple hats, including leading EAMDA’s Eastern region team for the USAID-funded Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS) activity.
 
She has also conducted industry and market studies, including an assessment of the avocado industry in Kenya and the impact of the East Africa Grain Council’s maize quality standards project. Subira is known for her sharp attention to detail and exceptional design skills, showcased in her exceptional work on project reporting. She aspires to be an agri-preneur and a leader in the development space.

Jane Kathure Biashara

Market Systems Facilatator

Jane Kathure Biashara is a sector expert with over 15 years of experience in Kenya’s food and agricultural development activities. She holds a Masters in Agriculture and Rural Development from Kenya Methodist University and a BSc in Agricultural Education and Extension from Egerton University. She’s known for her innovative market facilitation strategies and her ability to apply replicable and sustainable business models.

Jane has facilitated the commercialization of hay farming in Kenya and has managed numerous programs funded by organizations such as USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a market systems facilitator, Jane has played a key role in building players’ capacity in the multiple agricultural value chains. She has collaborated with the county and national government and development partners to deliver successful agriculture development programs.

Karen Asinza

Senior Project Manager

Karen Asinza is a certified Project Manager at East Africa Market Development Associates with over 8 years of experience in project management and market research and holds a Master’s degree in Project Management. Karen has extensive knowledge and experience in designing and undertaking research in value chain analysis, market and food systems project evaluations, market research surveys, and strategy implementation.

Karen has worked on several successful projects, including leading EAMDA’s Western and Nyanza region team for the USAID-funded Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS) activity, conducting market studies and evaluations, and overseeing project planning and execution. Her extensive knowledge of project management methodologies and ability to bring teams together ensure successful outcomes.

Mary Mngereza

Business Analyst

Mary Mngereza is a driven business analyst at East Africa Market Development Associates with experience in identifying efficiencies and problems in data streams and communicating the needs of a project. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and is driven by providing data-driven solutions. She brings a unique value in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data necessary for overseeing market studies and market linkages.

Mary has strong skills in statistical and analytics software such as R, SPSS, and MS Excel, which are useful in conducting studies across different value chains and report documentation for projects. She is drawn to the agricultural space to find sustainable solutions to recurring problems and aspires to become a monitoring and evaluation expert in the agricultural field.