Breaking the Donor Dependency: Smallholder Farmer Commercial Viability - A Tested and Scalable Model (Study Paper)

We are currently working on publishing a study paper that will detail a model we’ve spent years developing, piloting, and refining, one that we believe finally cracks the code on how to make smallholder farming truly sustainable, scalable, and profitable without donor dependency.

The initial concept was developed by the late honorable Khalid in partnership with one of our directors, Charles Kimathi, who has influenced our strategy for empowering smallholder farmers. We refined this model with the participation of Mama Layla Ltd, acting as the financier for the pilot project. This partnership enabled us to investigate practical applications, such as support for farming techniques, supply chains, irrigation logistics, repayment monitoring, and market connections. During these trials, we encountered numerous challenges related to management and execution, along with the various complexities faced by smallholders, which allowed us to devise effective solutions.

Now, with a fully functional operational model in place, we’re deploying at scale through Sifa Milele Africa Ltd. - the Anchor farm model.

Tharaka Nithi (2025)

Anchor Farm Model Overview

The new model, which we refer to as the Anchor Farm Model, involves SIFA owning and managing all operations in partnership with landowners and financiers. Centralized at a Demo farm, this model will facilitate the coordination of logistics and operations. It will also serve as a hub for training and aggregating neighboring smallholders, providing a comprehensive solution that includes financing, agronomy support, input supply, and market linkage or value addition. This approach also enables SIFA Milele to effectively showcase its other sustainable initiatives, which include:

• Climate Change Mitigation

• Eco Building Practices

• Value Addition

• Solar Power

See SIFA updates here.

Operational Deployment of the Anchor Farm Model

• Konza, Kenya, in collaboration with the Bishop of CDTY (South Sudan Diocese).

• The Dominican Brothers in Karen, Kenya. (Planning phase)

• Our community partners in Mumias, Kenya. (Prospective)

The goal is not just to farm. It’s to build a replicable curriculum for smallholder transformation that works. Over time, this paper will evolve into a practical training and implementation guide for governments, development partners, private sector actors, and communities looking for a real solution to the age-old challenge of smallholder inefficiency.

I’ll be sharing progress updates periodically as we write, publish, and roll out the model and training on the ground.

Chakama, Malindi (2025)

Kibwezi (2024)

— Joseph Mutuma, Director. Marativa Developments Ltd.