National Agricultural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) has granted Sh98.4 million to 268 farmer groups in Makueni to bolster tomato, mango, green grams and indigenous poultry farming in the county.
County Executive Committee Member(ECM) for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Robert Kisyula said the money is the second tranche of disbursements to farmers through the World Bank funded project.
‘‘This is the second phase of disbursements; in the first phase 167 groups benefited from Sh60 million, ’said Kisyula.
Speaking on Wednesday during the issuance of cheques to farmers’ representatives at Kwa Kathoka Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), the CEC urged the farmers to use the money to support agricultural production in the four value chains and improve their livelihoods.
He said the county government will monitor the farmer groups for transparency and ensure that the money is put to good use.
‘‘The money should be used for the purpose it is intended for. Every member should be involved and the Social Accountability and Integrity Committee (SAIC) will oversight the groups for accountability,’’said Kisyula.
Aladequeen Ndolo, the chair of Kasikeu Community Driven Development Committee hailed the support from NARIGP saying farmers have recorded increased productivity.
‘‘Farmers through the support have been able to establish nurseries for mango and tomatoes, while those in the indigenous poultry value chain have received chicken,’’said Ms.Ndolo.
Governor Kivutha Kibwana speaking at the same event said all agricultural programmes being implemented in the county should be synchronised for them to benefit the farmers.
Kivutha noted that despite numerous programmes in the county, their impact was not being felt by farmers.
‘‘This silo mentality of implementing programmes should end. Each programme should be linked with the other to ensure that the 170,000 households in the county doing farming are involved,’’said the governor.
Makueni is among other 20 counties in the country benefiting from NARIGP.
By Roselyne Kavoo
