NCBA and Kenya Seed Company Expand Farmer Empowerment at Kitale Agripreneurs’ Forum

Kitale, one of Kenya’s grain-producing regions, took centre stage today. NCBA in partnership with Kenya Seed Company, convened over 150 maize seed farmers for an engagement focused on financial solutions, productivity and enhanced market linkages for the upcoming planting season.

The forum, which enabled direct farmer engagement under the theme ‘Financing the 2026 Planting Season: Productivity and Market Linkages,’ brought together farmers, agribusiness traders and industry experts in Kitale, a region in Trans Nzoia County that plays a key role in Kenya’s national food security. The forum aligned with the Bank’s commitment to deepen its commitment to supporting the growth and resilience of the country’s agricultural value chains.

During the engagement, farmers were provided financial literacy insights, advisory support and opportunities to engage directly with NCBA specialists on agribusiness solutions designed specifically for agricultural enterprises.

Kitale sits at the centre of Kenya’s grain economy. Creating maize production worth over Kes. 23 billion annually according to Kenya Data and Statistics Report, growing diversification into dairy, poultry, fish and high-value crops, and emerging Agro-processing infrastructure, the region represents one of the most significant agribusiness ecosystems in Kenya. Agribusiness in Kitale represents a powerful economic engine with billions of shillings circulating across the value chain each year. The Agribusiness forum is therefore timely, as it looks to empower both smallholder and large-scale farmers in the region with financial tools and knowledge to unlock growth in the rural economy.

Commenting on the forum, the Director, Commercial & SME Banking, Robert Kiboti, emphasised the strategic role Agriculture plays within the Bank’s SME portfolio.

“Our approach goes beyond financing. We are building ecosystems that connect farmers to inputs, technical expertise and reliable markets.” He added, “Through partnerships such as the one with Kenya Seed Company, we are creating structured solutions that enable farmers to access timely financing, improve productivity and operate more sustainably within organised value chains.”

The Bank continues to strengthen its support for farmers and agribusiness players in Trans Nzoia County and the wider Kitale region through tailored financial solutions designed to unlock growth across the agricultural value chain. The Bank is supporting livestock farmers through beef fattening programmes that provide structured financing and market linkages, while also enabling mechanisation through Asset Finance solutions for farm equipment and machinery in partnership with Inchcape plc. In addition, NCBA offers working capital facilities to agri-SMEs, traders and distributors operating across the agricultural value chain, helping them manage seasonal cash-flow needs and scale their operations. For agribusinesses looking to access regional and international markets, the bank also provides Trade Finance solutions such as Letters of Credit, enabling agricultural exporters to transact with confidence and expand their reach in global markets.

This NCBA–Kenya Seed Company partnership demonstrates the Bank’s retail and SME strategy in action by combining financing with capacity building and market linkages tailored to the realities faced by seed farmers.

Nicholas Sang, Production Manager, Kenya Seed Company welcomed the collaboration, noting its impact on farmer productivity and sector stability.

“Access to affordable and timely financing remains one of the biggest challenges facing seed growers. Our partnership with NCBA is helping bridge this gap by empowering farmers with financial solutions aligned to the agricultural cycle. By combining quality seed production with structured financing and farmer education, we are supporting improved yields, stronger value chains and greater income stability for farmers.”

NCBA commits to collaborate with like-minded institutions to expand inclusive financing and capacity-building initiatives across the country, reinforcing its commitment to supporting farmers as key drivers of economic growth, food security and SME development.

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