Now in its seventh year, the ADM-supported LEAF program has helped participating farmers grow into independent, self-sustaining agricultural businesses.<\/p>\n
ADM, through ADM Cares, its corporate social investment program, is expanding its longstanding partnership with Concern Worldwide US to help smallholder farmers in Kenya\u2019s Tana River County build more productive, climate-resilient and self-sufficient farms. Now in its fourth phase, the Lifesaving Education and Assistance to Farmers (LEAF) program is reaching 17,500 farmers and is expected to indirectly benefit more than 100,000 people.<\/p>\n
Building on a partnership that began in 2019, ADM and Concern have helped farmers adopt nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agricultural practices through a combination of technical training, improved access to inputs and stronger market connections, all with a clear goal: helping farmers stand on their own. Many participating farmers have successfully transitioned from program assistance to independently sustaining and growing their agricultural businesses. To date, farmers supported through the program have collectively produced more than 2,000 metric tons of crops and have shown greater resilience than the county average to recurring droughts, flooding and pest outbreaks, while malnutrition rates in LEAF-supported communities decreased to 7.3% compared to the county average of 11.5%.<\/p>\n
The latest phase of the program, LEAF IV, builds on that foundation by improving both the quality and quantity of crop production and strengthening farmers\u2019 links to commercial and export markets. LEAF IV has also expanded the program\u2019s reach, adding 2,000 farmers since the beginning of the year, and is promoting sustainable, private sector-led agricultural development models.<\/p>\n
\u201cFarmers are at the heart of everything we do at ADM, and resilient farming communities are essential to resilient food systems,\u201d said Erdal Kurban, President, Africa & Middle East, ADM. \u201cWhat makes LEAF special is its focus on independence. Seven years in, we\u2019re seeing farmers who once relied on program support now running agricultural businesses of their own. Through ADM Cares, we\u2019re proud to stand alongside Concern in helping more farmers in Tana River County reach that point.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since January 2026, LEAF IV has:<\/p>\n
Trained 2,000 new farmers in climate-smart farming techniques, soil and water conservation, pest management and value chain development
\nProvided certified seeds to more than 1,000 farmers to support more diverse crop production
\nDelivered irrigation equipment to more than 450 farmers across approximately 330 acres of farmland
\nTrained more than 50 agricultural extension officers to strengthen local farming support networks
\nEstablished or strengthened 18 fruit tree nurseries to promote agricultural diversification and agroforestry
\nIntroduced beekeeping through the establishment of 14 apiaries, giving farmers an additional source of income through direct sales.
\nLEAF IV is also improving community nutrition. Since January, community health promoters supported by the program have screened more than 5,100 children for malnutrition and provided nutrition education and health guidance to families across the program\u2019s three project areas in Tana River County.<\/p>\n
\u201cConcern has really assisted many poor resourced households in my village to put food on the table, access income and knowledge from production to market access. I am a living testimony,\u201d said Cecelia Achieng from Manyatta Village in Bura.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe progress achieved through LEAF demonstrates the power of long-term partnerships and community-led development,\u201d said Katie Waller, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Concern Worldwide US. \u201cWith ADM\u2019s sustained support, we are helping farmers access the knowledge, resources and opportunities they need to improve productivity, strengthen resilience and create lasting change.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Now in its seventh year, the ADM-supported LEAF program has helped participating farmers grow into independent, self-sustaining agricultural businesses. ADM, through ADM Cares, its corporate social investment program, is expanding its longstanding partnership with Concern Worldwide US to help smallholder farmers in Kenya\u2019s Tana River County build more productive, climate-resilient and self-sufficient farms. Now in …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12120,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9,1310,1287],"class_list":["post-12119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-business","tag-general","tag-partnership"],"yoast_head":"\n