Pre-Harvest
Get short term farm financing to meet crop production costs before harvest. DTB Pre-Harvest helps eligible farmers finance needs such as farm preparation, approved farm inputs, harvesting labour, preservation, storage and transport to market, with repayment structured around the crop period or cycle, subject to approval.
Overview
A pre-harvest loan is short term agricultural working capital designed to bridge the period between spending on the farm and receiving proceeds from crop sales.
DTB Pre-Harvest can support eligible costs across the crop cycle, including farm preparation, farm inputs, harvesting labour, preservation, storage and transportation to market. Repayment is for a maximum of one year or the crop period/cycle, whichever is shorter, helping align the facility to the seasonal nature of farming.
DTB works with qualifying aggregators, SACCOs, cooperatives and off-takers to support farmer verification, risk assessment, loan disbursement and repayment. Eligible customers are required to open a DTB account for loan disbursement.
Pre-Harvest Product Features
The key features and benefits of preharvest loan are as follows:
Features | Pre-Harvest Loan |
|---|---|
Available channels | Branch, USSD, Mobile, API and partner applications for requisition, repayment and monitoring. |
Uses | Short-term finance to help eligible farmers complete crop production, harvest and prepare produce for market, sale, storage or warehousing. This can include preservation, storage and transportation to market. |
Description | Short-term agricultural finance to help farmers prepare produce for harvest, storage, market and sale. |
Processing fee | 2% of the loan amount, as currently published by DTB. Applicable taxes and other approved charges may apply. |
Insurance | Crop insurance is required. |
Loan tenor | Up to 1 year for regular crops, subject to the crop period/cycle and DTB approval. |
Interest rate | Prevailing market rates. Confirm the applicable rate with DTB before taking the facility. |
Repayment | Maximum of 1 year or the crop period/cycle, whichever is shorter, for farm-input financing. |
Loan disbursement | Farmers are required to open DTB accounts, where approved loans will be disbursed directly. |
Documents & support | KYC documents, completed application form, identity proof, KRA PIN, address proof, bank statement and farmer records may be required. DTB also publishes training and advisory support on production and marketing, including access to Ministry of Agriculture training. |
Benefits
Discover the advantages of banking with Pre-Harvest
Access short-term farm financing to help complete crop production before harvest income is received.
Finance approved needs such as farm preparation, farm inputs, harvesting labour, preservation, storage and transportation to market.
Align repayment to the crop period/cycle, up to a maximum of one year or the crop cycle, whichever is shorter.
Access a structured financing model for eligible farmers with off-taker arrangements or membership in a SACCO or cooperative.
Benefit from training and advisory services on agricultural production and marketing, including access to Ministry of Agriculture training as published by DTB.
Eligibility
DTB lists the following as eligible categories for Pre-Harvest financing:
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Farmers
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Farming cooperatives
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Agri-food and food-processing businesses
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Farm-input suppliers, including seed, fertilizer and pesticide suppliers
Eligibility and approval remain subject to DTB’s credit assessment, the proposed farming or agribusiness activity and the required supporting arrangements.
Farmer Eligibility criteria:
Membership in a qualifying SACCO or umbrella body, with a clean record.
Agreement to checks by a bank-assigned extension officer.
A DTB bank account.
A good credit rating.
Bank statements and/or farm-produce records showing farm output and revenue generated from farm sales.
Assignment of sale proceeds from the off-taker to support repayment.
A tied-up arrangement with an off-taker for sale of the produce.
Off taker/ Aggregator Eligibility Criteria.
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At least 3 years of audited accounts.
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A good repayment record.
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Must be a processor, SACCO, cooperative or large trader.
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A DTB account.
DTB currently states that initial limits may be granted to SACCOs and aggregators that use the facility to finance farmers with whom they have off-take agreements. Individual farmer loans are then assessed by the Bank based on the off-take agreement, the farmer’s track record and assignment of receivables.
FAQs
A pre-harvest loan is short-term agricultural financing used to meet crop-production and market-preparation costs before income from the harvest is received. DTB Pre-Harvest can support eligible expenses from farm preparation and farm inputs through harvesting, preservation, storage and transport to market. Repayment is structured for a maximum of one year or the crop period/cycle, whichever is shorter, subject to approval.
If you need working capital to complete crop production before you earn income from the harvest, DTB Pre-Harvest may be an option. The facility is designed for eligible farmers and agricultural value-chain participants and can finance approved crop-production needs. DTB assesses eligibility, farming records and the required SACCO, cooperative or off-taker arrangement before approving a loan.
DTB describes the facility as farm-input and crop-production financing and specifically identifies farm-input suppliers such as seed, fertilizer and pesticide suppliers within the eligible agricultural ecosystem. The exact inputs financed will depend on the approved loan purpose, so share your farm budget and input requirements with DTB during application.
Yes, harvesting labour is one of the uses specifically mentioned for DTB Pre-Harvest financing. If your crop is approaching harvest but sale proceeds have not yet been received, an approved pre-harvest facility can help meet eligible labour costs. The amount and repayment terms will depend on your crop cycle, records and DTB credit assessment.
Yes. DTB states that Pre-Harvest financing can help farmers prepare produce for market, sale, storage or warehousing, including preservation, storage and transportation to market. These costs should form part of the approved loan purpose and farming cash-flow plan.
DTB Pre-Harvest is designed around the seasonal nature of crop farming. Repayment is for a maximum of one year or the crop period/cycle, whichever is shorter. Farmers still need to demonstrate their farming track record, output and revenue, and meet DTB’s eligibility and credit requirements.
Repayment is linked to the approved crop period/cycle, with a maximum period of one year or the crop cycle, whichever is shorter. DTB also requires qualifying off-taker arrangements and assignment of sale proceeds for farmers. Your exact repayment date and structure will be confirmed in the approved facility terms.
DTB lists farmers, farming cooperatives, agri-food and food-processing businesses, and farm-input suppliers as eligible categories. Individual farmers must also meet criteria such as qualifying SACCO or umbrella-body membership, a good credit record, farming and revenue records, a DTB account and an off-taker arrangement.
DTB’s current eligibility criteria state that farmers should be members of SACCOs or umbrella bodies with clean records, and the page also states that loans are offered to farmers with off-taker arrangements or farmers who are members of a SACCO or cooperative. Contact DTB with your current farming arrangement so the Bank can confirm the route that applies to you.
An off-taker is the buyer or organisation that has agreed to purchase a farmer’s produce. DTB uses off-taker arrangements to help verify the expected market for the crop and structure repayment from sale proceeds. Farmers are expected to have a tied-up off-take arrangement and may be required to assign sale proceeds to the Bank.
Yes. DTB’s Pre-Harvest model works with SACCOs, cooperatives and aggregators. The Bank states that limits may initially be granted to qualifying SACCOs and aggregators to finance farmers with off-take agreements, with individual farmer loans assessed based on the agreement, track record and assignment of receivables.
DTB does not publish a fixed minimum or maximum Pre-Harvest loan amount on the current product page. The amount available will therefore depend on the approved farming need, crop cycle, records, expected revenues, repayment capacity and DTB credit assessment. Contact DTB with your farm budget and supporting records for an assessment.
DTB currently publishes a processing fee of 2% of the loan amount and an interest rate at prevailing market rates. Applicable taxes or other approved charges may also apply. Ask DTB for the current rate, fees and total repayment amount before accepting the facility.
Yes. DTB’s current Pre-Harvest product terms state that crop insurance is required. Crop insurance can help manage specified agricultural risks, but the cover, exclusions, premium and claims conditions depend on the insurance policy. Review the applicable insurance terms before taking the loan.
DTB may require completed KYC and loan-application documents, identity proof such as a National ID or valid passport, KRA PIN, address proof, bank statements and farmer records. Farming records should help demonstrate farm output and revenues from previous sales. DTB may request additional documents depending on the applicant and transaction.
DTB specifically asks for bank statements and/or farm-produce records showing farm output and revenue generated from farm sales. Farmers should also be ready to provide evidence of their off-taker arrangement and sale proceeds. Clear production and sales records can help the Bank understand the farm’s operating cycle and repayment capacity.
Compare whether the financing matches your crop cycle, the approved uses, repayment timing, interest rate, processing fees, insurance requirements, security or off-taker conditions, documents required and how funds are disbursed. For DTB Pre-Harvest, published features include crop-cycle repayment of up to one year, a 2% processing fee, crop insurance and a structured SACCO, cooperative, aggregator or off-taker model.
Use the Get In Touch option on this page or visit DTB to discuss your crop, farm budget, expected production and sale arrangement. Be ready to provide the required KYC documents, farming and revenue records, and details of your SACCO, cooperative, aggregator or off-taker arrangement. DTB will assess the application and confirm the approved amount, pricing, repayment and insurance requirements.
