The Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project (KAPP) is a Government program jointly supported by the World Bank. The program aims to contribute to sustainable increase of agricultural productivity and improvement of the citizens’ livelihood through the improved performance of the agricultural technology supply and demand system. The program has the development objective to improve the overall agricultural system by supporting generation, dissemination, and adoption of agricultural technology. This objective is to be achieved over a period of twelve years in 3 phases. The program design hinges on the premise that separate and poorly linked systems of research and extension yield low returns and therefore the design envisages an integrated approach in order to synchronize research, extension and farmer empowerment initiatives.

The first phase (2004-2008) supports continuation of ongoing reforms in agricultural research, initiation of a participatory process of change in extension services, farmer/client empowerment and pilot testing of extension methods and delivery systems. 

Implementation of the phase is guided by four project components thus:

 

  -  Facilitation of Policy and Institutional Reforms: The objective is to support establishment of the policy and institutional framework required to increase agricultural productivity in the country.

  -  Support to Extension System Reform: The objective is to build on achievements made under the National Agricultural Extension Policy framework (NAEP) to establish a new system of national agricultural extension.

 

  -  Support to Research System Reform: The objective is to reform the agricultural research sector so that it encompasses a plurality of actors and becomes more efficient and accountable.

  -  Support to Farmer/Client Empowerment: The objective is to develop institutional and financial mechanisms that will give farmers control over extension and research services and increase their access to productivity enhancing products.

Subsequent phases of the program will focus on consolidating reforms in research, implementing reforms in extension, and building the basis for sustainable financing of the entire system.

INSTITUTIONAL, FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

KAPP is being implemented under the framework of the GoK Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture (SRA). KAPP receives inter-ministerial coordination and policy guidance from organs already set up by the government to implement the SRA and other government initiatives in the sector, namely, a broad based Inter-ministerial Coordinating Committee (SRA-ICC) initially composed of Permanent Secretaries from the seven rural sector ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development, Cooperative Development and Marketing, Water, Environment and Natural Resources, Lands and Local Government.

Project Coordination: A KAPP Steering Committee (KSC) composed of the Directors of KARI, NEMA, Veterinary Services, Livestock Development, Agriculture, Fisheries Development, Chief Executive Officer-KENFAP, and representatives from Ministries of Cooperative Development and Marketing, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, Finance, Civil Society, NGOs and CBOs are appointed by the SRA-ICC, to oversee project implementation.

Project Implementation: KAPP is being implemented by 3 agencies, Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, and KARI. Overall coordination of the implementation is assumed by the KAPP Secretariat (KS). The KS is responsible for managing the consultative processes, as well as coordinating the monitoring, evaluation and analytical input into those processes, information communication and public relations associated with KAPP. The KS is also the secretary to the KSC and convener of project specific consultative processes at the national level that could include extension and research taskforces related to the National Farmers Forum. The secretariat is staffed by – an overall Project Coordinator, Research Specialist, Extension Specialist, Farmer/Client Empowerment Specialist, Information & Communication Specialist, Financial Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, and a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist.

Implementation of the extension and farmer empowerment components in the districts is the responsibility of a District Service Unit (DSU) that is staffed by two professional staff, DSU Coordinator assisted by a Monitoring & Evaluation officer and a supporting accountant, secretary and a driver. DSU role is to undertake the district–delegated functions of the KAPP secretariat. However, KARI, KS and DSU take full responsibility for the implementation of project activities and accounting for project funds.

KAPP Lending/financing instrument: The KAPP receives financial support under a phased Adaptable Program Loan (APL) from the World Bank. The APL lending instrument is proposed in light of the long period required to succeed with reforms of agricultural services, and the logics of separating the credit period into distinct phases with identifiable triggers. The APL combines both credit – US$27million and grant - US$13 million during phase I.

Phases II and III have anticipated budgets of US$ 70 million and US$ 100 million respectively.

Project Start-up date: The project started on October 21, 2004, and will end on December 31, 2008 after receiving a one year extension.

Target Group/Beneficiaries: The Kenyan rural farmers and pastoralists.

Total Project Cost and Expenditures:  The Total Project Cost for phase I is Kes 3.04 billion.

The program is operating in seven out of the eight provinces of Kenya in twenty districts namely:  Nyeri, Nyandarua, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Makueni, Embu, Meru, Homa Bay, Gucha, Siaya, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Busia, Butere-Mumias , Kakamega, Garissa and Wajir Districts.