We’re irrigating Africa, one farmer at a time
KickStart is unleashing the power of enterprise with the irrigation tools that enable millions of smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa to tackle poverty on their own terms. With our innovative water pumps, farming families break their dependence on seasonal rains, harvest high-value crops year-round, adapt to climate change, improve quality of life, reduce hunger, build businesses, and strengthen livelihoods.
of Africa’s poor are smallholder farmers
The vast majority rely on seasonal rains to water their crops. Irrigation offers a transformative opportunity for them to increase their incomes.
of Sub-Saharan Africa’s land is irrigated
An estimated 20% of farmers can easily access ground or surface water right on their farms–representing +20 million families that can change their lives with the right tools.
of Africa’s renewable ground water is being used
By using human and solar-powered pumps, farmers build profitable and climate-smart agricultural enterprises, without depleting aquifers.
Innovating for Africa
KickStart designs and develops climate-smart, highly affordable, and reliable irrigation tools that enable farmers to transform their livelihoods and build lasting food security. These appropriate technologies are specifically designed for the complex needs of smallholder farmers and generate new incomes.
Measurable, lasting impact
KickStart’s interventions don’t just generate a small bump in income, they empower a family to climb out of poverty permanently.
1.
people out of poverty
successful farming enterprises
people fed with fruits and vegetables
Awards & Recognition
An Africa-wide network of partners, farmers, and distributors
As a nonprofit social enterprise, local stakeholders are key to our mission for scale. We’re working to build a network of development partners, private sector actors, policymakers, and farmers to irrigate Africa.
Agro-dealers
Partners
Countries
Hear from our farmer entrepreneurs
James
Kenya
Model Entrepreneur
Meet James
James wasn’t making enough to make ends meet, so he quit his job and rented a small plot of land to farm. He met KickStart’s Field Innovations Team, received an early Starter Pump prototype, and began irrigating. With his farming success, he built a new house, opened a new shop, and sent his kids to top schools.
Impact Highlights
Expanded Enterprise
by employing 6 workers on his farm
Planning for the Future
by saving earnings in a new bank account
Investing in New Assets
including purchasing a piece of land worth $50,000
James
Kenya
Model Entrepreneur
James wasn’t making enough to make ends meet, so he quit his job and rented a small plot of land to farm. He met KickStart’s Field Innovations Team, received an early Starter Pump prototype, and began irrigating. With his farming success, he built a new house, opened a new shop, and sent his kids to top schools.
Impact Highlights
Expanded Enterprise
by employing 6 workers on his farm
Planning for the Future
by saving earnings in a new bank account
Investing in New Assets
including purchasing a piece of land worth $50,000
Monika
Kenya
Woman Entrepreneur
Meet Monika
Monika spent her days lugging buckets of water to her farm to support her family of 19, only earning $4 a day. She knew she needed a change, and once she heard about the MoneyMaker Hip Pump, she knew it was time to take a leap of faith. Monika’s since expanded her farm to 2 acres and is growing cilantro, kale, green onions, and sorghum. At 66, Monika is paving the way for other women in her community to become confident and successful businesswomen.
Impact Highlights
Increased Income
5x from $4 a week to $20 a week
Diversified Crops
With cilantro, green onions, sorghum, and kale
New assets
Raising cows, geese and chickens
Monika
Kenya
Woman Entrepreneur
Monika spent her days lugging buckets of water to her farm to support her family of 19, only earning $4 a day. She knew she needed a change, and once she heard about the MoneyMaker Hip Pump, she knew it was time to take a leap of faith. Monika’s since expanded her farm to 2 acres and is growing cilantro, kale, green onions, and sorghum. At 66, Monika is paving the way for other women in her community to become confident and successful businesswomen.
Impact Highlights
Increased Income
5x from $4 a week to $20 a week
Diversified Crops
With cilantro, green onions, sorghum, and kale
New assets
Raising cows, geese and chickens
Agatha
Tanzania
Climate Resilient
Meet Agatha
Agatha farmed a small vegetable plot to feed and support her family of six, but more frequent dry spells made it impossible to depend on the rain, causing repeated crop losses. She saved up for a MoneyMaker pump and started irrigating, adding high-value crops to her rotation. With access to water, not rain, Agatha changed her odds, expanded her enterprise, and transformed her livelihood.
Impact Highlights
Increased Crop Cycles
From 1 to 3 per year
Expanded Size of Farm
Increasing the area of cultivation 10x
Increased income
By 15X
Agatha
Tanzania
Climate Resilient
Agatha farmed a small vegetable plot to feed and support her family of six, but more frequent dry spells made it impossible to depend on the rain, causing repeated crop losses. She saved up for a MoneyMaker pump and started irrigating, adding high-value crops to her rotation. With access to water, not rain, Agatha changed her odds, expanded her enterprise, and transformed her livelihood.
Impact Highlights
Increased Crop Cycles
From 1 to 3 per year
Expanded Size of Farm
Increasing the area of cultivation 10x
Increased income
By 15X
Mercy
Kenya
Serial Entrepreneur
Meet Mercy
After high school, Mercy wanted to get a job in an office, but she couldn’t find one. To make money, she and her husband started farming, but with infrequent rains, her crops failed. It wasn’t until she received a Starter Pump, that her vegetable enterprise thrived. And as a natural entrepreneur, she’s also renting her pump to her neighbors for $2 a day, empowering them to change the way they’re farming and greatly increase their income.
Impact Highlights
Increased income
By selling high value produce year-round she is able to sell more, invest in high-value produce and chickens
Local Irrigation Advocate
By renting her pump, Mercy is spreading irrigation and its benefits across her village
Planning for the future
Using the Starter Pump enabled all her children to go to school
Mercy
Kenya
Serial Entrepreneur
After high school, Mercy wanted to get a job in an office, but she couldn’t find one. To make money, she and her husband started farming, but with infrequent rains, her crops failed. It wasn’t until she received a Starter Pump, that her vegetable enterprise thrived. And as a natural entrepreneur, she’s also renting her pump to her neighbors for $2 a day, empowering them to change the way they’re farming and greatly increase their income.
Impact Highlights
Increased income
By selling high value produce year-round she is able to sell more, invest in high-value produce and chickens
Local Irrigation Advocate
By renting her pump, Mercy is spreading irrigation and its benefits across her village
Planning for the future
Using the Starter Pump enabled all her children to go to school
Get involved
Give
By giving to KickStart, your act of generosity multiplies as farmers generate income today and for years to come
Partner
KickStart works with hundreds of partners across Africa to reach their impact goals through irrigation
Buy/Sell
For more information on our products, to find a retailer, or to join our distribution network
Join us. Make a difference today.
Together, we can empower farmers with the tools to fight poverty and feed their communities. Share in our efforts by helping a farming family to access a MoneyMaker pump and tackle household poverty on their own terms.