TWENTY two counties will benefit from the US government's Sh3.5 billion Agricultural Value Chains Enterprises funds. The programme will work with 500,000 small-scale farmers, the private sector and local and national government's partners to remove constraints in the market affecting maize, dairy and horticulture value chains.
The US ambassador Robert Godec launched the fiveyear investment plan in Kisumu on Thursday. "This will see an increase in productivity and incomes of the small-scale farmers and other stakeholders in staple crops, dairy and horticulture to support their families no matter their age or gender," he said. Godec said the programme will be implemented in 16 counties in Western and Nyanza regions and six in the Eastern.
They are Kisumu, Bomet, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Kisii and Migori. Those to benefit in the Eastern region are Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui and Taita Taveta. Godec said the programme, to be implemented through US, is part of President Barack Obama's 'Feed the Future Initiative' meant to reduce hunger, poverty and malnutrition.
"It is an important part of our shared goal with Kenya to transform the lives of millions of Kenyans by ensuring they live in food secure households and eat nutritious food." Godec was accompanied by five governors, two deputy governors, Busia Senator Amos Wako and Agriculture Secretary Felix Koskei's representative Julius Kiptarus.
Also present was USAid's mission director Karen Freeman. The governors included Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Sospeter Ojamoong' (Busia), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Lang'at Kiprop (Nandi), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Zachary Obado (Migori). Ranguma said the programme will benefit the residents with the development of the Kisumu International Airport because farmers will be able to export their products.