Private sector solutions to address food insecurity

USAID designed the Feed the Future Kenya Innovation Engine with the objective of addressing persistent challenges to food security and malnutrition through innovations. Kenya is poised for an agricultural breakthrough, yet smallholder farmers struggle to maximize their productivity and income potential. With a mandate to identify, nurture and scale innovations in agriculture, the project served as an incubation-like mechanism that allowed for testing and organic scaling of a range of cutting-edge technologies.
 
In partnership with 20 enterprises, KIE tested and piloted 24 diverse innovations including the use of ICT to streamline various value chain challenges, increase smallholder revenue and improve on-farm productivity and market efficiency. Value chains included dairy, meat, fruits, vegetables, maize and stable food crops. In working with innovators, the project emphasized enterprise development, financial sustainability and increased employment opportunities for women, men and youth.