Most micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and business membership organizations are necessity-driven rather than growth-oriented. They are constrained by low start-up capital, a low level of innovation, invention and skill investment, low value addition, an imitation culture, low survival rates, limited access to markets and/or saturated markets, inadequate training and inadequate access to appropriate, tailor-made business development services. The situation is made worse by low capacity to grasp green economy concepts, limited skills for embracing the green economy, including sustainable consumption and production practices, and scant information on MSMEs that have adopted green economy practices. These challenges limit the opportunities for MSMEs and business membership organizations to reap the benefits that accompany the adoption of sustainable consumption and production practices and to realize their full potential.
These challenges are evident in the agriculture sector, where, for instance, instead of commercializing their operations, promoting markets and moving up the value chain, farmers suffer post-harvest losses due to lack of storage facilities and exploitation by middlemen. Packaging, labelling, quality standards and sale of agricultural commodities are unattractive to buyers. This project aims to address such issues by strengthening the capacities of businesses and business organizations in Kenya with respect to sustainable production and consumption practices and opportunities for green development.
