North Rift Farmers to Access Tractors Through 95% Financing Deal
Farmers in Kenya’s North Rift region are set to gain easier access to agricultural machinery following a new financing partnership between NCBA Bank and equipment supplier Car & General. The programme will allow eligible farmers to finance up to 95 per cent of the cost of Kubota tractors and implements, reducing the initial capital required to mechanise farm operations.
The agreement was launched in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two companies. It provides repayment periods of up to 60 months and a 60-day repayment holiday before borrowers begin servicing their loans. NCBA Deputy Director and Head of Asset Finance and Insurance Premium Financing James Karinga said the initiative aimed to make agricultural machinery more accessible while helping farmers improve productivity and profitability. He said farmers could use tractors not only on their own land but also offer hire services to neighbouring growers, creating an additional source of income.
Karinga noted that mechanisation could help farmers complete land preparation on time, particularly during planting seasons when rainfall patterns leave limited windows for field operations.
He added that acquiring machinery could enable farmers to expand their operations, reduce reliance on manual labour and serve other producers who cannot afford to purchase tractors individually.
Under the arrangement, borrowers will have several repayment options, including monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, annual and seasonal schedules. Seasonal payments are intended to help farmers align loan repayments with income earned after harvesting and selling their produce. However, financing eligibility and the ability to meet repayment obligations will remain important considerations for farmers seeking to acquire the equipment.
Car & General Regional General Manager for Equipment Business Srinivas Devarakonda said the tractors and implements would support various farm activities, including land preparation, planting and cultivation. He said the availability of different implements would allow farmers to use a single tractor for multiple operations, improving equipment utilisation and creating opportunities to provide mechanisation services commercially.
Devarakonda added that Car & General would support customers through technical expertise, genuine spare parts, warranty services and after-sales support.
The company represents Kubota in Kenya and Uganda and is targeting sales of 400 tractors in Kenya in 2027, according to Devarakonda.
The financing initiative targets the North Rift, one of Kenya’s major agricultural production regions, where farmers grow maize, wheat, sugarcane and other crops. Access to machinery remains an important consideration for producers seeking to prepare land efficiently, manage labour costs and complete farm operations within appropriate planting windows.
By financing up to 95 percent of the purchase cost, the programme is expected to reduce the upfront financial barrier for eligible buyers. The 60-day repayment holiday could also give farmers time to organise their finances before repayments begin.
Farmers who attended the launch welcomed the arrangement, saying lower initial capital requirements could help them acquire machinery, expand cultivated acreage and reduce dependence on manual labour.
The partnership is also expected to create opportunities for tractor owners to earn income by providing services to other farmers, potentially expanding access to mechanisation beyond those who purchase the equipment.
NCBA and Car & General said the initiative was designed to address the availability, accessibility and affordability of agricultural machinery, with the broader aim of improving efficiency and supporting commercial farming in the North Rift.
