LUGANO, Switzerland – (April 20, 2009) - New Holland Agriculture has supplied 98 tractors for a project co-sponsored by the Italian Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The equipment completes the second phase of this joint agribusiness project, which is aimed at revitalizing agriculture in Kenya.

 The 98 New Holland tractors have been supplied by CMC motors, New Holland's distributor in the country, and have been delivered to the Kenyan  Government. The rapid  spread of the global food crisis has left  small-scale farmers with the difficult task of deciding what, when, how and for whom to produce in an operating environment characterized by limited market information, liberalized markets and widespread famine. For this reason the agribusiness project has received considerable support.

This project represents an important opportunity for Kenya, a country that, in many areas, still has limited experience with the most up-to-date agricultural production techniques. Furthermore, it will allow the country to grow more rapidly thanks to agricultural mechanization, which will aid Kenya to become food secure.

Specifically, the project seeks to raise the productivity of agricultural land, mainly among small-scale farmers, through the provision of tractor and machinery services at an affordable cost. It also seeks to enhance productivity through the use of the latest production techniques; increased food yields will notably enhance smallholder farmer incomes.

New Holland Agriculture supplied its reliable and rugged TT 55 two-wheel drive and TT 75 two and four-wheel drive models, and also provided, through its distributor, the technical assistance and knowledge in the use of these tractors.

 Tractors were delivered to small-scale farmers in seven different regions throughout the country, and the initiative has been so successful that a third phase of the project is being  evaluated.