Background
The Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) is a regional development initiative that aims to contribute to the economic growth of the East African Community (EAC). More specifically, it aims to support increased exports of agribusiness and horticultural products, promote regional integration as well as provide access to European markets. MARKUP assists small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda by targeting specific agricultural commodities such as avocado, cocoa, coffee, spices, tea and horticulture.
KTL Farming engaged WYLDE International through the ITC MARKUP Programme. KTL Farming is an avocado exporter-based in Trans Nzoia County, operating and working with farmers across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia. The firm is a private company established in 2014 with a focus on the development and marketing of avocados and associated products. KTL supply farmers with avocado seedlings, offer extension services to contracted farmers for quality produce, which they then purchase for export.
Since mid-2019, KTL has registered and is supporting more than 4,000 farmers across Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Nakuru and Kakamega. At approximately 850,000 avocado trees in the ground across all KTL registered farmers, the firm is steadily progressing towards its 2 million target.
The Solution
KTL Farming engaged WYLDE International through the ITC MARKUP Programme. The objectives of the Engagement were to;
● To spur business growth and scaling through access to finance,
● Equip SMEs and their manager(s) with requisite financial management skills
● Develop business plans as a natural step to access to finance
● Support increased exports of agribusiness and horticultural products
● Promote regional integration (EAC)
● Provide access of agricultural commodities to European Markets
Target beneficiaries
KTL Farming Ltd has a target of establishing two million avocado trees across Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Nakuru and Kakamega, to be achieved through contract farming.
The Impact During the engagement period, WYLDE deliberately gave their best in ensuring that all the businesses got personalized attention. The sessions included assessments to short list suitable businesses for financing, site visits, financial management and business planning training for the shortlisted businesses and finally matching the SMEs to financiers.
The engagement was very practical with experiential activities assisting in driving the key points home.
The KTL Farming team got help in.
- Identification and filing of gaps in their accounting systems and processes.
- Getting clarity in their business model and preparation for financing and investor readiness.