Building a business, empowering a community

FarmBase Feeds, founded in 2020 by ambitious Kenyan female entrepreneur Pamela Wawira Nthiga, is rapidly transforming the lives of small-scale farmers, especially women and youth, by providing high-quality, climate-resilient animal feed tailored for poultry, dairy, and swine. With strategic guidance from PUM experts in operations, sustainability and marketing, the company refined its business model and developed a clear growth strategy. A grant from PUM’s Hans Blankert Fund (HBF) enabled FarmBase to reduce logistic expenses.

PUM Impact Awards 2025

In 2025, the young and dynamic company FarmBase Feeds was selected as one of the six winners of the PUM Impact Awards. These awards celebrate SMEs and the PUM experts they have worked with for their achievements in sustainable growth and inclusive economic development. Over the past four years, FarmBase’s revenue has grown fifteenfold, while job creation was up with 40% in the past year. Through the combined efforts of the production team, the recruitment of extra staff and the installation of a second production line, FarmBase Feeds succeeded in structurally doubling its turnover. Thanks to a grant from PUM’s fund for small investments HBF, FarmBase was able to invest in a company vehicle, reducing transport costs by an impressive 40%. Meanwhile, the company has expanded its production capacity by around 60%, and its farmer base has increased by more than 400%.

Better quality  feed

The company emerged from Pamela’s desire to tackle the deepening challenge of fodder shortages caused by climate change, a major hurdle for livestock farmers. Her belief in creating better quality feed not only supports animal health and productivity but also empowers local farmers to earn a more stable income. In addition Pamela is creating crucial job opportunities for young people and women in Nairobi and beyond with her growing company. Pamela: “Our staff has grown from a small team of 3 people to a team of 19 employees and we are still growing!”

Expert guidance

The collaboration expanded even further with a trade visit to the Netherlands in 2023. This opened new avenues for collaboration with Dutch suppliers, leading to a formal cooperation with a fertiliser producer. In addition, discussions are ongoing with several Dutch companies to source high-quality feed additives. Discussions are ongoing to import salt blocks from a Dutch partner in Hengelo, potentially enriching the company’s product offerings even further.

Building a recognisable brand

Recognising the importance of brand visibility and customer trust, PUM matched Pamela with marketing expert Eric van Blanken, a former FrieslandCampina professional with over two decades of experience. Together, they engaged directly with farmers and cooperatives to understand their needs and expectations. These insights culminated in a strategic three-day workshop focused on branding, storytelling, and commercial planning. From this effort, a structured marketing plan was born, setting ambitious but achievable goals.

Throughout the year, Eric continued to coach the FarmBase team online, supporting Pamela in staying focused and adapting the company’s strategy where necessary. This ongoing support strengthened the company’s growth trajectory while deepening its commitment to economic empowerment, ensuring that Pamela’s positive impact continues to spread across Kenya’s rural communities.

Lasting  impact

FarmBase’s business model places women and youth at its centre. As livestock farming in Kenya is primarily carried out by women, access to high-quality compound feed and supplements directly boosts productivity, allowing farmers to increase income and improve household living standards. Higher earnings often lead to farm expansion, creating additional employment opportunities for young people. At the company level, the growing customer base continues to drive new jobs for youth in the surrounding communities.

Environmentally, FarmBase contributes to a more circular agricultural economy. The company uses by-products from the human food milling industry as core raw materials for feed production. Its supplements help improve dairy productivity, allowing farmers to produce the same amount of milk with fewer cows; an important contribution to reducing the pressure on land and emissions.