From Farm to Market: Empowering Smallholder Farmers through Organic Market Outlets

A Marketplace with a Purpose

In Githunguri, Kiambu County, a new chapter for smallholder farmers is unfolding. The Community Sustainable Development Empowerment Programme (COSDEP), with support from the Fred Foundation, has launched a local organic produce market outlet that is transforming how farmers grow, sell, and earn from their produce.

Bridging the Gap Between Farmers and Consumers

For years, small-scale farmers have struggled to access reliable markets, often selling their produce at low prices to middlemen. COSDEP’s market outlet changes this narrative by providing a direct platform for farmers to sell organic produce. It not only ensures fair prices but also connects consumers to fresh, healthy, and chemical-free food straight from the farm.

Training, Certification, and Growth

The project goes beyond creating a market—it empowers farmers with training in organic farming, packaging, and certification. With these skills, farmers gain the knowledge and credibility needed to meet modern consumer demands. The outlet also fuels COSDEP’s sustainability by generating revenue through sales commissions and demand for advanced training services.

Transforming Livelihoods

The results are promising: farmers are experiencing up to 30% income growth within the first year, and many are on track to achieve organic certification within two years. With a growing customer base—targeting 200 buyers per month—the market is not just a trading space; it’s a symbol of empowerment, independence, and resilience for rural communities.

By turning farms into profitable, eco-friendly ventures, COSDEP’s organic market project proves that sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand. This is more than a marketplace—it’s a movement building a stronger future for farmers and consumers alike.