The Marketing Program

One of the major issues facing our farmers as their yields increase is marketing. How will the farmers sell 10 tons of corn? The first goal for the farmers was to increase yields to the point where they could feed themselves and their families. They also wanted enough crops to sell to buy clothing, pay school fees for their children, and supply other family needs. The Oyugis market, which is open 2 days a week, is large enough to fill this need. That first goal has therefore been accomplished.

The second goal was to begin a co-op that would make the farmers self-sufficient. This would require a much larger market. Hearts for Kenya has been working on a market strategy for the last year. After looking at a number of options, we found what we believe is a good market solution. The Catholic Diocese of Homa-Bay has as their mission the marketing of the crops of small farmers in the Nyanza District of Kenya. Oyugis is in the Nyanza District. The name of that Diocese mission effort is Agriculture & Environment Program (AEP). George Orero, the person who will be working with us, is the Assistant Program Coordinator for AEP. That program has markets throughout Kenya. There are markets for all the crops our farmers are growing. AEP is willing to work with us in determining the best crops to grow for the market demand. They will also work with us on the transportation needs of getting the crops to market.

Hearts for Kenya is very happy to be able to work with AEP and we are looking forward to a long, beneficial relationship.