Agricultural Hub
A Hub is a center of effective business activities which operates as a one-stop shop where various products and services are offered.
The concept aims at addressing challenges faced by small scale farmers in accessing advice on farming, affordable inputs, markets and other services required for profitable agri-business ventures.
Hub creates an ecosystem where collaborations and knowledge transfer can occur in order to spur innovation and business opportunities, thus benefitting the greater network.
Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019-2029 envisages that the hub trade should enable co-existence among the private sector players, county governments and other stakeholders in the Agricultural sector.
In this regard, NCPB has positioned itself to partner with private sector players in its commercial programs and activities through its commercial arm;
The Hub holds various agricultural products including but not limited to food items, farm inputs, farm implements and agrochemicals. And will also provide advisory services, linkages to intermediaries, leasing out of farm machinery, storage services, fumigation, drying, weighing, cleaning, grading and soil testing. All these are offered under one roof.
Benefits of the Hub Business
The hub facilitates the production and collection of quality produce from disadvantaged areas by improving compliance with product and services quality standards.
It also provides easy access to markets for farmers together with opportunities to bargain for better prices.
In addition, the hub enables access to a variety of cheaper farm inputs, implements and mechanization services. Small-scale farmers will enjoy increased incomes and better yields. Produce buyers on the other hand benefit from product aggregation and reliable supply. Various players in the hub will each play own roles that are of mutual benefit to each other
On their part, suppliers will provide a wider range of goods and services within a one-stop shop setting; a platform to offer good quality products and services to customers, get space to display machinery and equipment and access a wider network of clients and opportunities.
Customers are not left behind as they receive quality products due to the availability of grading services in the hub as well as benefit from product aggregation and reliable supply
Toward achieve success of the hub trading model, the Board has acquired partners who include fertilizer suppliers, seed suppliers, agrochemicals suppliers and storage bags and tarpaulins suppliers.
Hub business model will involve stakeholders with important roles to play; farmers/registered farmer groups, millers, Co-operative societies, County Governments, Agro- dealers, Buyers, Sellers, and Financial Institutions who comprise Banks & Insurance Companies. To ensure smooth and efficient transactions, the Board has deployed a robust ICT system.
The Hub holds various agricultural products including but not limited to food items, farm inputs, farm implements and agrochemicals. And will also provide advisory services, linkages to intermediaries, leasing out of farm machinery, storage services, fumigation, drying, weighing, cleaning, grading and soil testing. All these are offered under one roof.