30 years of growing prosperity: Celebrating impact in Kenya
As Yara celebrates 30 years in Kenya, we reflect on an incredible journey of empowering farmers, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that have transformed communities across the country.
Since 1994, Yara Kenya has been a trusted partner in agriculture, promoting soil health, crop nutrition, and sustainable practices. With a nationwide footprint and a dedicated team across agronomy, sales, logistics, and support, Yara ensures farmers receive both quality inputs and expert advice.
“Yara’s dedication to Kenyan farmers is stronger than ever. Our values of curiosity, ambition, collaboration, and accountability continue to guide our efforts as we work toward a future where every farmer in Kenya has the tools, knowledge, and support they need to thrive.”
Empowering farmers
At the heart of Yara Kenya’s mission are the farmers they support like David from Siaya County and Sabina from Kirinyaga County.
David struggled with low yields using traditional methods, but partnering with Yara Kenya transformed his farm. With improved crop nutrition, his maize yields rose, and he later diversified into sunflowers, watermelon, and spinach. Now, he runs a Yara Knowledge Centre that trains over 300 local farmers – proof that with the right support, farming can be both profitable and empowering.
"Like many farmers in my area, I began with basic farming methods and the same old inputs that had been used for years. With Yara’s guidance and high-quality crop nutrition solutions, my farm underwent a remarkable transformation, allowing me to expand my operations, grow my income, and secure my family’s future", emphasized David.
In Kirinyaga County, Sabina’s family business, New Down Town Stores, grew from her father’s local deliveries into a multi-franchise operation. With support from Yara Kenya’s retailer training, Sabina strengthened her team’s knowledge and customer service, empowering local farmers through a shared commitment to putting their needs first.
"When we were just a small shop, Yara recognized our potential and believed in our abilities. They supported us, and together, we built something extraordinary. What began as a small venture fuelled by grit and determination has now blossomed into a multi-franchise business spanning several counties in Kenya - with Yara as a steadfast partner over the years", stressed Sabina.
David and Sabina’s stories are just a glimpse of the impact Yara has had in Kenya over the past three decades. Yara Kenya’s mission is to support farmers and create agricultural systems that can sustain livelihoods for generations. This mission is rooted in three core ambitions: climate neutrality, regenerative agriculture, and shared prosperity. Through innovation, education, and sustainable practices, Yara Kenya is helping farmers increase yields while building a more resilient and nature-positive future.
Digital innovation
As agriculture evolves, so do the tools that support it. Yara Kenya has embraced digital innovation to empower farmers in new and exciting ways. A notable example of this is how Yara Kenya has successfully integrated mobile payments into the FarmCare app, enabling farmers to conveniently purchase products directly from their phones using MPESA, Kenya’s leading mobile money transfer platform. This integration is empowering farmers by placing direct control in farmers’ hands, ensuring that they have the necessary resources when they need them.
On-the-ground presence
Beyond digital solutions, Yara Kenya’s focus remains firmly on the ground where farmers need them the most. The team has established an extensive retail network to ensure that every farmer, regardless of their location, can access top-quality products and expert agronomic advice. Through strong partnerships with retailers, they’ve expanded their reach down to Kenya’s smallest administrative units ensuring that support is always readily available. It’s not just about selling fertilizers; it’s about bridging the gap between innovation, accessibility, and knowledge, ensuring that farmers have everything they need to build a successful and sustainable future.
Advancing soil health
Healthy soil is the cornerstone of a successful farm and that’s why Yara Kenya is deeply committed to improving soil health through balanced crop nutrition and regenerative agricultural practices. As Godfrey Ikigu, Yara Kenya’s Agronomy Lead, often says, “We must invest in our soils today to secure food production for future generations.” Through initiatives like Thryve Innocation CoLab, Yara Kenya is collaborating with partners to develop scalable solutions that enhance soil health and increase long-term productivity. By leveraging data-driven tools, farmers have the knowledge and resources to manage their soil for greater resilience and sustainable yields.
Collaboration for a stronger future
Agricultural transformation cannot happen in isolation. As Dr. Winnie Ng’ang’a, Director for Public Affairs and Government Relations, emphasizes, “The future of food security and sustainable farming hinges on robust partnerships.” This is why Yara Kenya works closely with governments, the private sector, and local communities to drive meaningful, long-lasting change. Sustained partnerships are the key to addressing the challenges of food security and sustainable farming.
As Carol Mumo, Impact Lead for Africa at Yara, shares, “It’s not enough to start an initiative; it’s important that we stay engaged, ensuring that farmers and agripreneurs can build on what they’ve learned.” By continuing engagement with farmers and local stakeholders, knowledge and skills gained are carried forward, creating a ripple effect that transforms entire communities.
Looking ahead
After 30 years, Yara Kenya remains committed to growing together with farmers, retailers, and communities. Yara Kenya’s journey continues, rooted in collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity for generations to come.
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