ADM expands Kenya farmer support to 17,500 smallholders
The program, funded through ADM Cares, the company’s corporate social investment program, aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods
KENYA – Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), through its corporate social investment programme ADM Cares, has expanded its partnership with Concern Worldwide US to support 17,500 smallholder farmers in Tana River County.
The initiative, known as Lifesaving Education and Assistance to Farmers (LEAF), aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable livelihoods, and is expected to benefit more than 100,000 people indirectly.
The partnership, established in 2019, is now in its fourth phase, LEAF IV, building on previous efforts to equip farmers with climate-smart agricultural knowledge, improve access to farming inputs and strengthen connections to markets.
The latest phase focuses on improving crop quality and yields while helping farmers access commercial and export markets.
The programme has added 2,000 farmers since the beginning of 2026, bringing its reach to 17,500 smallholders.
Since January, LEAF IV has trained 2,000 additional farmers in climate-smart farming techniques, soil and water conservation, pest management and agricultural value chain development.
More than 1,000 farmers have received certified seeds to support crop diversification, while over 450 farmers have benefited from irrigation equipment covering approximately 330 acres of farmland.
The programme has also trained more than 50 agricultural extension officers to strengthen local advisory services and established or reinforced 18 fruit tree nurseries to promote agroforestry.
To diversify household incomes, the initiative introduced beekeeping through 14 apiaries, giving participating farmers opportunities to earn additional revenue from honey sales.
These interventions aim to help communities withstand recurring droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks that threaten agricultural production in the county.
According to ADM and Concern Worldwide US, farmers supported through previous programme phases have collectively produced more than 2,000 metric tonnes of crops.
Approximately 40% of participating farmers have transitioned from project assistance to independently sustaining and expanding their agricultural businesses.
Malnutrition rates in LEAF-supported communities have also declined to 7.3%, compared with the county average of 11.5%.
The programme incorporates nutrition and community health activities alongside agricultural support. Since January 2026, community health promoters have screened more than 5,100 children for malnutrition and provided families with nutrition education and health guidance across the initiative’s three project areas.
Erdal Kurban, ADM’s president for Africa and the Middle East, said the partnership demonstrates the importance of building resilient farming communities to strengthen food systems.
Katie Waller, director of strategic partnerships at Concern Worldwide US, added that sustained collaboration helps farmers access the knowledge, resources and opportunities required to improve productivity and resilience.
The expanded partnership highlights the role of private-sector investment and humanitarian collaboration in advancing agricultural development in Kenya.
By combining improved production practices, irrigation, extension services and market access, LEAF IV seeks to help smallholder farmers build more independent enterprises while strengthening food security and livelihoods in climate-vulnerable communities.
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