Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) implemented by the Kajiado County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Irrigation and Food Security in two phases; ASDSP1 (2013-2017) and ASDSP11 (2017-2023) has had major achievements in value addition in the sector of milk, beef through moderated pastoralism as well in tomato production.
This was said by Kajiado County Executive Member in charge of Agriculture Jackton Achola in Loitoktok during the launch of Loitoktok Dairy mini plant adding that the programme was a milestone in value addition of priority value chains.
The programme was jointly funded by the Government of Sweden at a tune of Sh53million, Kajiado County government Sh31Million while State Department of Agriculture gave Sh9 million totaling to Sh93Million.
A report released by Ministry of Agriculture, Kajiado County for ASDSP second phase noted that the programme focused on realizing set goals on four main areas namely increased productivity of priority value chain, strengthening entrepreneurship skill of priority value chain actors, improved access to market by priority value chain actors as well as strengthening structures and capacities for consultation, coordination and cooperation in agricultural sector.
According to the report, the programme has seen over 7, 000 value chain actors reached with support from ASDSP second phase through focused trainings on identified opportunities by 48 trained production related service providers.
Trainings done included commercial dairy production, pasture production and conservation, livestock feed formulation, feedlot technologies among many other areas.
The report also indicated that the programme also trained 30 market service providers as well as 30 business development service providers who in turn assisted value chain actors to develop bankable business plans which resulted in growth of per capita incomes, number of micro enterprises as well as creation of jobs.
The right information is crucial for effective decision making, ASDSP ensured access and availability of marketing information by creating linkages of value chain actors to ASDSP11 E-commerce site and Application: KilimoBuz where they uploaded their products and services.
According to the report, the programme also supported the development of sector policies that impacted the priority value chains such as Kajiado Sale yard Act 2020, Kajiado County Animal Welfare Act 2023, and the Kajiado County Agriculture Crops 2023 among others.
According to Achola, the county government is in the process of launching another programme; Kenya Agricultural Business Development Project [KABDP] to replace ASDSP.
By Kimani Tirus
