Back to Bungoma
I arrived in Bungoma on Monday and since then have been working with the founder of One Acre Fund as well as the other staff. There are about 5 expats working for the organization and a number of local staff. My main project is to develop and implement a local staff recruitment and selection process as well as revise the existing orientation/training curriculum and performance management systems that the organization already has in place. It is ambitious work and is currently the top priority for the founder. I am excited to get started. Currently, I am meeting with some local staff to define best practices for sourcing local talent and documenting the task lists of current staff to develop comprehensive job descriptions. Additionally, we are trying to develop innovative ways to interview potential candidates. This deliverable will become the HR guide for the organization and is planned for use in a program in another location within Kenya and in a new program in Rwanda.
The organization has a number of agriculture programs currently started in Bungoma (Western province, near border of Uganda). There are currently around 600 farmers that are part of the program. One Acre Fund provides the inputs (seeds, fertilizer, trellises, etc.) and training/education and the farmer provides the land and the labor. At harvest time, One Acre Fund consolidates the produce and sells it at a higher premium than the farmer could obtain on his/her own. The profit from the yield is split 50/50, which pays back One Acre Fund for the inputs and also pays the farmer handsomely for the work. In fact, with the proper inputs and training and dedication on the part of the farmer, the yield is much greater and, consequently, the profit is greater. The model seems to work quite well, even with all the potential risks associated with farming (weather, diseases, etc.). The crops include maize, passion fruit, and mushrooms. The latter are intended for export once the program expands.
I am learning new aspects of the program every day from interacting with the staff and local farmers. It’s been a great experience thus far.