We command extensive experience supporting agricultural transformation, agribusiness development, and value chain strengthening across Kenya and the East African region. Our technical expertise in this thematic area is aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food systems, and enhancing livelihoods through our services that span the entire agricultural value chain, from production and inputs to processing, market systems, and policy development.
Our Key Areas of Expertise
Food and Nutrition Security: We support the government and development partners in designing policies, programmes, and strategies to enhance food and nutrition security. Our services include research on food systems, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, post-harvest management, and food safety. We also conduct studies on food storage systems, food safety risks, and nutrition outcomes among vulnerable populations.
Crop Production, Plant Management and Seed Systems: We provide technical expertise to improve crop productivity and resilience through improved plant management practices. Our services include agronomic advisory, crop breeding and improvement, pest and disease management, soil and water conservation, and post-harvest handling technologies. We also support the development of sustainable seed systems through research on seed selection, propagation, quality assurance, and disease control.
Livestock Production and Value Chains: We provide advisory and technical services aimed at strengthening livestock production systems and associated value chains. This includes livestock feed formulation, poultry production systems, dairy and beef production improvement, farm infrastructure planning, and development of livestock-based value chains. We also support animal health, animal nutrition, and livestock product quality assurance.
Land, Soil and Water Resource Management
Sustainable natural resource management is central to agricultural productivity. UNES offers consultancy services in land evaluation, soil fertility management, irrigation and drainage systems, watershed management, and environmental conservation. Our work also includes soil surveys and mapping, soil and plant laboratory analysis, and climate-smart agricultural strategies to improve resilience to climate change.
Agricultural Research and Innovation: UNES undertakes applied and contract research to generate evidence-based solutions for agricultural development. Our research focuses on improving productivity, enhancing food safety, and addressing emerging challenges in agricultural systems. Our research areas include:
- Sustainable agricultural systems and farm profitability
- Crop breeding and genetic improvement
- Germplasm conservation and evaluation
- Integrated pest and disease management
- Nutrient management and soil fertility improvement
- Post-harvest physiology and storage technologies
- Livestock nutrition, feed technology and animal welfare
- Food safety, mycotoxin contamination and quality assurance
- Climate change adaptation and sustainable farming systems
Agribusiness Development and Value Chain Strengthening: UNES has extensive experience in diagnosing constraints within agricultural value chains and designing interventions that improve efficiency, competitiveness, and market access. Our services include:
- Value chain analysis and development strategies
- Agribusiness feasibility studies and investment planning
- Market research and demand-supply analysis
- Enterprise development and agribusiness incubation
- Agribusiness policy and regulatory frameworks
- Food safety systems and standards compliance (SPS)
- Agricultural market systems development
We also support value chain actors including farmers, cooperatives, processors and traders to strengthen business models, adopt improved technologies, and enhance market participation.
Training and Capacity Development: Capacity building is a key pillar of UNES agricultural programmes. We provide training for farmers, agripreneurs, government agencies, and private sector actors in areas such as:
- Agribusiness planning and enterprise development
- Climate-smart agriculture practices
- Sustainable soil and land management
- Livestock production systems
- Food safety and risk analysis
- Value addition and post-harvest technologies
- Good laboratory practices
- Agricultural entrepreneurship and financial management
Through tailored training programmes and incubation initiatives, UNES supports youth, farmer organizations, and agribusiness enterprises to develop sustainable and profitable agricultural ventures.
Selected Project Experience
Agribusiness Incubation and Youth Enterprise Development: UNES was a key partner in the implementation of ENABLE Youth Kenya Project for the Ministry of Agriculture, providing agribusiness incubation and entrepreneurship training for youth. The project focused on building technical and business skills, mentoring agripreneurs, developing bankable business plans, and strengthening Youth Agribusiness Incubation Centers across Kenya.
Climate-Smart Agriculture Value Chains: UNES has successfully supported the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) in developing enterprise development plans and extension services for value chains including finger millet, sorghum, and indigenous chicken across several counties in Kenya. The key activities included farmer capacity building, climate-smart production practices and strengthening of market linkages.
Agricultural Sector Baseline Surveys and Market Research: UNES conducted a national baseline survey on commodity value chains under the Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP), covering all 47 counties in Kenya. The assignment generated critical data on agricultural production systems, value chain actors, and sector performance indicators to support national agricultural policy and planning.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance: UNES has implemented projects focused on food safety, including performance testing of mycotoxin decontamination plants for the TradeMark Africa Cross-Border Food Security Programme and training on food safety risk analysis for regulatory agencies.
Food Loss and Post-Harvest Management: Working with international partners such as the World Resources Institute, UNES has conducted studies on food loss and waste along fruit value chains, supporting improved post-harvest management practices and value chain efficiency.
