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The Farm to Feed

Tackling food waste and empowering farmers in Kenya

A sustainable solution to food loss, farmer livelihoods and climate resilience.

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0 Billion

Tonnes of food is wasted or lost each year globally, contributing 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

$ 0 M

Pre-seed round closed to date, with the Catalyst Fund being the first investor in this round.

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Of food saved that would have otherwise gone to waste, preventing 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

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Increase in the incomes of farmers by providing a steady and reliable market for their produce, along with immediate payments.

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Farmers onboarded, demonstrating significant growth in its farmer network.

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Of the farmers are women, empowering them with greater economic opportunities through the company’s platform and operations.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the founders of Farm to Feed initiated a relief effort to purchase excess produce from farmers at risk of going to waste and donate it to vulnerable communities. This action highlighted an underlying issue that predates the pandemic: food wastage. Despite abundant food production, farmers faced significant barriers in accessing markets, leading to produce loss and waste. According to the Food Waste Index 2021 report, approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted globally every year, contributing 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Farm to Feed recognised the need for a sustainable solution to this issue and launched a scalable model to address food waste while supporting farmers. The company began by purchasing surplus and imperfect produce—often considered "rescued" or discarded due to their appearance—from farmers. They created a process to check, grade, and package this produce for sale to B2B customers. Edible produce that could not be sold due to appearance was donated to schools in Kibra, thus reducing food waste and cutting down on CO2 emissions. In addition, Farm to Feed developed methods to reduce waste further by peeling items like potatoes and carrots, leading to a significant environmental impact. The company has saved 920,000 kg of food, preventing 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

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FSD Africa has been instrumental in helping Farm to Feed scale its impact. By providing investment capital and venture-building support through the Catalyst Fund, FSD Africa has supported the development of a digital platform to streamline operations. This platform allows farmers to log in, register their produce deliveries, and confirm payments, making the collection process more efficient. Customers can place orders through the platform, enhancing the overall workflow. With the help of FSD Africa, Farm to Feed has onboarded 6,000 farmers, an impressive increase from just 300 before joining the Catalyst Fund programme. The venture-building support also helped refine Farm to Feed’s branding, develop the first version of the platform, complete a feasibility study for carbon credits, and improve operations in the warehouse.

Women make up about 43% of the farmers Farm to Feed works with, providing them with increased economic opportunities. Through Farm to Feed’s initiative, these farmers have experienced a 41% rise in their incomes, as the company offers them a reliable market and fast payment for their produce. This efficiency has allowed farmers to better meet their medical, household, and educational needs. Additionally, consumers now benefit from more affordable local produce as Farm to Feed aggregates large quantities for distribution.

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Despite its success, Farm to Feed faces a financial challenge as it scales. The company’s growing number of farmers and the increased volume of produce require more working capital to pay farmers immediately after deliveries are verified. Although Farm to Feed has raised $90,000 in working capital and developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of its platform, the company is currently fundraising its seed round of $1.8M to cover operational costs, hire talent, build technology, and unlock further growth. Farm to Feed’s model is a powerful example of how a business can address food waste while supporting farmers, improving livelihoods, and reducing CO2 emissions. With continued support, Farm to Feed is poised to expand its impact and become a key player in creating sustainable food systems in Kenya.

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Breaking Barriers

Attawfiq Micro Finance’s Commitment to Women

Women in Morocco encounter unique social and economic barriers restricting their formal financial participation. Issues like limited income and a lack of ownership over assets due to traditional inheritance laws and cultural norms that reinforce economic dependency on male counterparts have sidelined many women from opportunities in entrepreneurship. These hurdles and a lack of familiarity with financial services make it challenging for women to secure the capital they need for personal and business growth. Many women, particularly in rural regions, face restricted mobility and limited access to financial resources and information, further distancing them from economic opportunities. These constraints are amplified by the scarcity of female-friendly financial services and education tailored to address their unique needs.

In a groundbreaking step, BCP launched Morocco’s first Gender Bond in partnership with its microfinance subsidiary, Attawfiq Micro-Finance. This initiative raised approximately USD 25 million through a private placement, marking a transformative step in Morocco’s sustainable finance sector and making BCP the first institution in Africa to issue such a bond. Backed by FSD Africa and the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC), the Gender Bond enabled Attawfiq to provide tailored financial support to women across the country. 

Attawfiq’s comprehensive offering included not only microloans but also non-financial services, including financial literacy training, leadership workshops and networking opportunities—ensuring women received both the financial and personal empowerment needed to transform their lives. The Gender Bond has been transformative for women like Khaddouj and Malika in Morocco. Starting with micro-loans, Khaddouj built a business selling chickens, expanded to sheep and tripled her capital, inspiring other women in her village to pursue entrepreneurship. 

Malika, in an urban centre, used her loan to grow her seasonal goods business, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry with newfound confidence and financial management skills. Through Attawfiq Micro-Finance, the Gender Bond has empowered over 17,000 women to drive change, demonstrating that women across Morocco can not only manage but excel in financial responsibilities, fostering a more inclusive future.

Story of the Green Bond issuance

A commitment to gender equality
BCP’s social bond framework was designed to empower low-income women economically.
Launching the gender bond
In March 2021, BCP issued Africa’s first gender bond, promoting inclusive finance.
Transforming lives
The impact of these initiatives is evident as women across Morocco thrive economically.
Creating opportunities
Attawfiq’s programs not only provide loans but also training and support for women entrepreneurs.
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Key impact metrics

Through targeted micro-credit programs, Attawfiq has empowered women to expand their businesses.

More than half of the loans have been granted to women, fostering their economic independence.

This groundbreaking initiative promotes gender equality and sustainable finance in Morocco.

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