BELFAST-based agri-technology Devenish has invested $2.25 million (£1.7m) in Kenyan company Sidai Africa to instal systems to enable it supply crop and livestock services to farmers in some of the country’s most remote areas.
In Africa, where up to a quarter of livestock dies each year due to preventable diseases, Sidai supplies crop and livestock services to farmers throughout Kenya with a unique ‘last-mile’ delivery service model.
This improves access to livestock products and services and helping farmers keep their herds healthy, which in turn helps increase income and financial security.
The investment by Devenish will enable Sidai to further expand its distribution network, launch new products and reach even more farmers across Kenya.
Sidai was established in 2011 with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Farm Africa to help improve sustainable agriculture in Kenya, and now has11 stores, 87 franchisees, and directly employs 120 people.
Founder Dr Christie Peacock said: “From a standing start we’ve grown significantly, and our mission is to enable every small-scale farmer in Kenya to produce food in a predictable and profitable way. This investment by Devenish will help us to achieve our goals.”
Peter Wallace, executive vice-chairman of Devenish, which employs around 300 staff and has a turnover of £150 million, said: “We’re particularly focused on sustainable farming and food production, and this new partnership will enable us to make a difference by improving the livelihood of small-scale farmers across Kenya."
Devenish's East African director Michael Maguire added: “Sidai has already had a very positive impact on the local farming community and I hope this investment, coupled with our commercial input, innovation and nutritional expertise, will help it grow further and reach even more farmers and pastoralists across Kenya.”
