ECONOMIC EMPOWEREMENT CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT 2017

Macadamia Small Holders Project

Macadamia Open Day is an initiative of Kakuzi Ltd, first of its kind under the theme “LET’S GROW MACADAMIA TOGETHER” A total of 169 farmers attended, 496 Macadamia trees were donated to the farmers for the trial phase. Four trial farms with a maximum of 20 have been set up and Kakuzi will monitor these farms to guide subsequent steps in this project.

Progress on Macadamia Small Holders Project

There is significant progress on this project “LET’S GROW MACADAMIA TOGETHER”. The company has dedicated resources to determine suitability of the soil in the targeted community, distributed 20 seedlings to each trial farm and conducted demonstrations on macadamia planting on the four trial farms set up.  Each trial farm is attached to a manager for follow ups and a lead farmer. Information from these farms will guide phase two of this project that targets 169 farmers who registered.

The community is impressed by the progress of the project and requests the company to increase the number of macadamia seedlings in the second phase of the project. It is important to indicate that these are initial steps in a long-term project.

Avocado mini field day at Kirere

Kakuzi organized a mini field day for Kagika self-help group avocado farmers at Kirere area of Murang’a County on the 26th May, 2017. The group which has a total of 200 registered members had approached Kakuzi and requested the company to organize for the mini day. Members and community members benefited from Kakuzi knowledge on avocado husbandry. Members present equally benefited from financial institutions (Barclays and Equity) invited by Kakuzi.

Officials from County and National government at the function applauded Kakuzi’s efforts in sharing knowledge and helping local farmers’ access market for Avocados.  Over 100 farmers turned up for the event.

Kakuzi Hills Community Bee Project

The project was initiated by Kakuzi with the objective of fostering partnership with the community to both generate additional household income through bee keeping as well as bolster relationship with the company. A steering committee was formed comprising of community members with the group patron being a senior manager from Kakuzi.

Training on Beekeeping

Trainings were held at community apiary sites to build the capacity of the farmers but also the wider community in beekeeping. A total of 35 members received training in bee keeping. IEC materials relating to each training session were distributed to all registered attendees.

Kakuzi designed and build simplified version of modern hive from locally-sourced, sustainable materials which does not require investment in expensive additional equipment. A total of 35 beehives were distributed to group members to kick start the project.

Setting up of Apiaries

Apiaries have been set up in the group member farms.  The apiaries are managed by trained individual farmers who then harvest honey and deliver to Kakuzi for marketing through Kakuzi shops.

Achievements

Since its establishment, the group’s membership has grown from 35 members to 123 members. The group’s total earning amounts to Ksh. 554,554. The number of beehives has grown from 35 to 175. According to the group’s chairman, poverty and food insecurity associated with limited livelihood diversification due to repeated drought and failed harvests common in the region have significantly reduced. Group members are able to pay school fees for their children, buy food and safe for other developments like buying motorbikes from the project’s earnings.