Irri Hub Ke - Impacc gGmBH

Investing in Impact

P4G has awarded the partnership with about US $350,000 in grant funding. 

Approximately 98% of Kenya’s agriculture is rainfed. Farmers in the country don’t have easy access to information on soil composition, weather patterns and quality seed sourcing. They also don’t have access to customized and affordable irrigation solutions that could increase their productivity. In addition, they work through multiple intermediaries to sell their produce resulting in them receiving lower prices for their crops. 

Irri Hub Ke is a Kenyan agribusiness which bundles discrete irrigation solutions into one complete and customized package that includes training and access to markets to help smallholders in Kenya realize higher yields and higher prices for their products. 

The startup uses existing third-party solutions to build an end-to-end irrigation solution that includes dam liners, solar powered irrigation systems and drip kits. It has created a “farmer starter pack” that combines an affordable rainwater harvesting system with solar-powered irrigation and support services that help farmers reduce water usage by 90 percent while growing three times more food. It aims to expand its services to offer data driven technology such as sensors for the drip kits to provide farmers with greater production efficiency. Its revenue model comprises mark-ups on third party components and subscription fees for maintenance, data and advisory support. 

Irri Hub Ke has worked with 3,000 farmers to date and has helped increase their revenue by 33%. It has saved 200 million cubic liters of water and increased yields by 40 percent. It plans to expand its reach into Uganda and Tanzania in the future. 

Impacc gGmBH is a nonprofit with deep venture building experience. It will provide Irri Hub Ke with financial, technical and operational support to help scale the startup. It will also provide access to international consultants and experts in the sector. 

During the partnership period, the use of Irri Hub Ke products will avoid about 75,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. The partnership will help create 200 new jobs, support 500 farmers to acquire its products and services and benefit about 1,500 people (directly and indirectly) through its climate solution. 

The partnership comprises the following partners: Irri Hub Ke (lead business partner); Impacc gGmBH (lead administrative partner).