In partnership with Hivos, Ecom Agro-industrial Corporation (ECOM), Kawacom Uganda Limited (KUL), Tutunze Kahawa Limited (TKL), SMS initiated a 5 year project in Kenya with a goal of 60,000 small holder farmers to create viable smallholder coffee farming systems, and offer long-term business opportunities for 2.4 million smallholder coffee farms and 16 million people dependent on the sector.

Key activities include incorporating biogas into the whole farm system; diversification of incomes, in particular through dairy and horticulture; the provision of credit facilities; enhanced Good Agricultural Practices including climate resilience; and women and youth targeted training and support.

Women and young farmers are priority clients as key actors to revitalize the sector and ensure long-term sustainability. The project is a great leap by SMS from the traditional coffee-only extension approach to a whole farm approach where farmers benefit from a more wholesome package.

By the end of 2016, over 125 biodigesters were installed to provide bioslurry and biogas, and are functional in 11 cooperative societies. The bioslurry being produced is applied to coffee plants as well as for growing of other vegetables. The Biogas is used for cooking, lighting and heating.