Capital is always the problem when it comes to starting any business . Especially in farming, you need to have all the required agricultural inputs to ensure your business is a success from the word go.
However, if you have the right information, you can easily get money to start any business you want. If you are a youth and really set your mind to agribusiness, you can get a grant from the following places:
1. Approach Local Banks – These we have many banks fighting to get clients by offering loan packages targeting agribusiness. Do your research to find out which bank best suits your needs and join it. Examples of such banks are; Mifugo Loan from Equity Bank, Maziwa Loan from Cooperative Bank (Targeting livestock farmers in Kenya) Family Bank, Faulu Microfinance Bank Limited and KCB Bank through their Dairy Installment Loan.
2. Join SACCO – Join a SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies) in Kenya and you will be able to get a low-interest loan to start your business. You can check some of the best SACCOS in Kenya Here
3. Approach the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC)- This a government-owned financial institution that aims to provide loans to individuals or groups practicing agriculture. To know more about them and their terms and conditions go to www.agrifinance.org
4. Women Enterprise Fund- This is a semi-autonomous government agency established in 2007 to provide accessible credit to support women start or expand their business for wealth and employment creation. Visit their website www.wef.co.ke to know more
5. Savings Groups- There are groups in Kenya (Merry-Go-Rounds) which provides the members with money depending on how they saved either weekly or monthly. Getting a loan here depends on your level of savings.
6. Micro Finance Institutions (MFI)-e.g.Joywo, Faulu Kenya, Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT), SMEP, SISDO, KADET, etc.
7. Credit from Traders- There are various traders who can give you goods and services on credit. e.g Kenya Credit Traders Limited. Visit their website to find out more www.kenyacredittraders.com
8. Youth Enterprise Development Fund- It was established in 2006 with the sole purpose of reducing unemployment in Kenya e.g AgriVijana loan. It provides various loan packages specifically targeting the youth. Visit www.youthfund.go.ke to know more
All that said, you must know that loans have their own advantages and disadvantages. Young Farmers should be able to wisely choose the source that will serve them well in regard to their circumstances.
