Smallholder farmers in Kisumu County are set to reap major benefits from a mechanised farming initiative backed by Absa Bank, Hello Tractor, and global machinery manufacturer John Deere. The programme, which enables farmers to lease tractors through a Pay-As-You-Use model via Hello Tractor’s mobile platform, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new hub in Kisumu.
Speaking during the launch, Absa Bank’s Business Banking Director, Elizabeth Wasunna, announced that the extended financing facility—originally capped at Sh500 million—will now support further mechanisation efforts in the region. She noted that the Kisumu hub is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs and increase food output by nearly 1 million metric tons, contributing Sh21.4 billion to the economy.
“This initiative empowers Kisumu farmers to cultivate more land efficiently, reduce production costs, and shift towards commercial agriculture,” Wasunna said. She also highlighted its impact on gender inclusion, encouraging more women in the region to embrace mechanised farming.
Hello Tractor CEO Jehiel Oliver emphasized the importance of the Kisumu hub, which currently operates 50 tractors across 150,000 acres. The hub also acts as a center for training, input distribution, and expert agronomic support.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Kenneth Onyango, welcomed the project, stating it would help transition the county’s farmers from subsistence farming to more profitable, market-oriented agriculture.