*Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Engage Agriculture Partners to Boost Small-Scale Farming Enterprises* In a concerted effort to bolster agricultural productivity and market access for smallholder farmers, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs held a strategic partnership meeting with members of Agriculture and Rural Development partners Group (ARDPG) to leverage synergies in cooperative and MSMEs Development. Led by Cabinet secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and MSMES Development PS Susan Mangeni, the discussions aimed at creating sustainable solutions for the sector with emphasis on transforming small-scale farming into sustainable, commercial enterprises to support the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans. Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya reinforced the government’s commitment to fostering agricultural enterprises. Reflecting on his extensive experience in Kenyan politics and development, Oparanya underscored the importance of aligning rural development strategies with MSME growth. “I’ve seen firsthand the transformation that happens when farming communities are treated as entrepreneurs. We must continue to invest in production, value addition, and market access to unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector. Let us bring agriculture close to our ministry, because without a focus on agriculture, there is no MSME," CS Oparanya noted Addressing the partners, PS Susan Mangeni highlighted the need to shift the perception of small-scale farmers from mere producers to entrepreneurs. “From where we sit in MSME, we call them our entrepreneurs. Farming is their source of livelihood, and the question is how we make this a commercial, day-to-day occupation that sustains most Kenyans," she said. Mangeni discussed several government initiatives designed to empower small-scale farmers, including the Rural Credit Guarantee Scheme, currently under the National Treasury, noting the collaboration on it to ensure it addresses the specific financing needs of small enterprises. Beyond infrastructure, market access and value chain prioritization emerged as critical focus areas, the Ministry has identified key value chain where business opportunities lie namely, Leather, dairy, Textile Apparel, Edible Oils, Rice production, Blue Economy, Natura resources and mining, Tea and Coffee. These value chains could increase productivity and take MSMEs and Cooperatives to another level. The government is leveraging the MSME space to promote farming enterprises and achieve our economic goals. For Instance, the Government commissioned cold storage facility for potatoes in Nyandarua County, a Banana cold storage in Kisii and the establishment of County aggregation Industrial Parks. However, challenges persist regarding the maintenance and sustainability of such facilities. Similar issues have been noted with dairy coolers, where 80% of the cooperatives receiving them struggle to keep them functioning. The meeting concluded with a call to action for stronger collaboration between government bodies, development partners, and agricultural stakeholders to ensure that farming in Kenya evolves into a thriving, sustainable economic activity and stronger collaboration to address the post-harvest losses.