Makueni County Executive for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries Nzioki King’ola has directed officers in the department to undertake an inventory of development partners, private sector and civil society organizations involved in agricultural issues so as to curb duplication of work.
King’ola said that it was important to know the area they were operating in the agriculture sector and avoid the current situation, where many organizations were doing similar work at the same place.
He asked the officers in the department to ensure they compile a list of development partners, private sector and civil society groups so that all areas in need of services could be reached.
“We need to have the list of development partners, civil society and private sector working in the agriculture sector. Know the contact person and the ward they operate from to make our coordination easier,” said King’ola while opening a two-day training for County Agricultural Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM) Members held in in Makindu town Wednesday.
The committee is formed out of the Intergovernmental Relations Act and will establish structures for coordination, instruments for operation and accountability and also foster collaborations and linkages with public and private institutions in management and delivery of agricultural and programs.
During the workshop, members were taken through sector coordination, guidelines, strategic plan, operational instruments and policy formulation and legislation process.
The committee is expected to coordinate all agricultural activities, mainstream public participation, champion resource mobilization and encourage people to invest in agriculture.
The county Chief Officer (CO) for Agriculture Dr. Martin Mboloi said that there was need to form an umbrella cooperative to register all farmers to enable them sell their produce and avoid exploitation from middlemen.
He further said that the cooperative must be registered and recognized by the government.
The call comes at a time when many farmers have been exploited by middlemen who buy mangoes and oranges at throw away prices.
By Patrick Nyakundi
