Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has released Sh. 53.2 million to fund 146 farmers’ groups to undertake various value chain projects.
The funds will be shared by farmers’ groups undertaking tomato, dairy, avocado, poultry, bee keeping, fish, pig and dairy goat farming among others.
Speaking at the County Headquarters in Kutus during the launch of County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2017, Waiguru said that through “Wezesha Kirinyaga Empowerment Programme” her administration aims to empowering the beneficiaries of the funds to make at least Sh. 1,000 per day from the various value chains.
“The money that we are releasing today will go a long way in helping the farmers put money into their pockets. We are implementing the bottom-up economic model by empowering farmers to engage in small-scale agri-business and in return earn money to feed their families,” she said.
The Wezesha Kirinyaga Empowerment Programme which is supported through the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth (NARIG) is in its third phase of funding.
“This money has uplifted the living standards of the beneficiaries who are now empowered to make at least Sh. 1,000 per day from various value chains,” she added.
The County’s third Integrated Development Plan that was launched offers a cohesive framework of development for the county seeking to improve the quality of life for everyone that lives and works in Kirinyaga.
The Governor said the Kirinyaga County Government will work together with the national government, development partners and Private Partners to mobilize resources for the implementation of key projects.
“Despite the scarcity of resources, we shall endeavor to equitably allocate the available resources to ensure equitable development across the county. We shall also enhance effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation systems that will see to it that the projects are implemented within the given timelines,” Waiguru added.
“The CIDP takes into account the inclusion of special groups such as the youth and women as key factors of production in our county’s economic growth. As such the projects identified herein will ensure that they will translate to their economic empowerment,” said the governor.
She said the plan’s main strategic goals includes; job creation through the establishment of new industries and product diversification and better health through accessible and affordable health care.
The plan also seeks to increase income from improved and efficient agricultural productivity, market access, product marketing, and competitive market prices.
“In our five-year plan, we also seek to have improved urban planning and infrastructure to create state-of-the-art towns and cities and at the same time have enhanced knowledge and skills development to establish demand driven, adaptive, diligent, talented and unique workforce,” she added.
She further said that her government will enhance effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation systems that will see that the projects are implemented within the given timelines.
By Mutai Kipngetich
