Educated Borrowers, Empowered Farmers: Building Knowledge and Resilience in Machakos
Today, in partnership with Epicenter Africa, we held a town hall session in Machakos County, training smallholder farmers on sustainable farming practices and how to access financing for solar-powered irrigation pumps. At Fortune Credit, we believe that educated farmers are empowered borrowers they make informed financial decisions, manage risks more effectively, and build resilient farms that sustain livelihoods and strengthen Kenya’s food systems. Why This Matters: Over 70% of Kenya’s rural population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. In regions like Machakos, where annual rainfall averages below 800mm, farmers often face prolonged dry spells and reduced yields. Access to solar irrigation and proper agronomic training can increase productivity by 2–3 times, allowing farmers to produce consistently throughout the year. By equipping farmers with both financial literacy and sustainable technologies, we’re not just lending — we’re building knowledge, resilience, and opportunity for every farmer we serve.