The World Bank in collaboration with the Government will spend sh54.7 billion to promote climate smart agriculture in Kakamega County.
Under a programme dubbed Kakamega Climate Smart Agricultural Project (KCSAP), the World Bank will contribute sh25 billion while the Kenya Government will top up with the balance of sh29.7 billion.
The Project Coordinator, Merina Adhiaya said implementation of the programme has started this financial year and will run for the next five years.
“In the first phase the project will be executed in two wards in Navakholo, Lurambi and Malava Sub Counties,” said Adhiaya.
She explained that Butsotso East and Central wards in Lurambi, Ingotse-Matia and Sumeiya-Shikomari-Shinoi in Navakholo and Kabras South and Kabras West in Malava would also be covered in the first phase.
Adhiaya added that the KCSAP targets four value chains including poultry keeping, fish farming, dairy and indigenous vegetable farming in a bid to boost incomes of households as well as realise food and nutrition security.
The project is targeting Vulnerable Marginalized Groups (VMG) consisting of widows and jobless youth.
Targeted VMG beneficiaries are supposed to form Common Interest Groups of between 20 to 30 members and submit a project proposal to the County Technical Advisory Committee.
“Once the proposal is approved, the groups would receive between sh. 700, 000 to sh.1 million grant disbursed through the Committee Driven Development Committee,” she said.
By Sammy Mwibanda/Elizabeth Magero
