Posted on April, 10, 2025 at 09:35 am
In Kenya, 3 million farmers face high fertilizer costs, spending a combined $84 million each year on conventional products. Globally, rising fertilizer prices affect an estimated 237 million smallholder farmers. About 56% of Kenya’s population lives below the poverty line, with most people in rural areas relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. Poor soil quality limits productivity and quality fertilizer remains too expensive for many. Reports reveal that only 20% of Kenya’s land is suitable for cultivation. To address this, Safi Organics uses decentralized production of organic fertilizer as an affordable alternative that strengthens farmers’ incomes and improves soil health.
Samuel Rigu and Joyce Kamande founded Safi Organics in 2015 to partner with local farmers in Kenya. After graduating from agricultural college, Rigu noticed that Kenyan farmers were burning farming waste like rice husks while the land decayed. He developed a method to make soil more productive using local materials. With partnership from MIT graduate Kevin Kung, they introduced a new process to convert agricultural waste into organic fertilizer, helping to improve long-term sustainability. Safi Organics created a decentralized business model where crop residues are locally processed into organic fertilizers, reducing transportation costs and empowering rural farmers economically.
The company employs rural farmers to help produce the organic fertilizer from agricultural waste. It also works with more than 35,000 farms across Kenya to expand access to sustainable farming practices. Its partnerships give farmers unique access to sustainable agricultural practices that help even the playing field of systemic inequality.
Farmers using Safi Organics fertilizer have seen a 30% increase in crop yields. About 600 farmers using the fertilizer reported a 50% rise in income. The fertilizer also reduces the need for expensive chemicals, allowing farmers to spend 60% to 70% less on fertilizer. Safi Organics has helped preserve more than 6,000 hectares of farmland and repurposed large volumes of waste, contributing to environmental sustainability in Kenya.
Access to credit and financing remains a challenge for many farmers. This challenge makes it difficult for farmers to invest in the new technology that Safi Organics offers. Infrastructure in rural areas in Kenya is underdeveloped, increasing the cost of transport. The company provides more affordable options than international fertilizer providers. With greater outreach and further efforts to help the marginalized in the agricultural industry, the company could further expand awareness of sustainable farming practices.
Safi Organics demonstrates how local agricultural innovation in Kenya can contribute to farmers’ poverty reduction. By transforming farm waste into affordable, eco-friendly fertilizer, the company improves crop yields, boosts incomes and creates employment for farmers in rural Kenya. As more rural farmers achieve financial independence, the benefits extend to their households and communities. With additional investment and strategic partnerships, Safi Organics could scale its impact, supporting sustainable development and economic inclusion.
Source: The Borgen Project