Farmers from various counties are set to benefit from the 61 vehicles donated by the national government in collaboration with different development partners.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony of vehicles to the respective counties at Kilimo House on Monday, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS), Peter Munya said the first batch of 26 vehicles which were released yesterday will help in reaching farmers from rural areas in time in order to improve their service delivery.
The remaining 35 vehicles, mainly set for the arid areas and will be released soon to support government’s projects.
“Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) development will be implemented in the 24 Arid Counties of Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir and mandera; Semi-Arid counties of West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Lamu, TaitaTaveta, Kajiado and Machakos and Non- Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties of Busia, Siaya, Nyandarua, Bomet, Kericho, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Kisumu,” said Munya.
“The project’s objective is to increase agricultural productivity and build resilience to climate change risks in the targeted smallholder farming and pastoral communities in Kenya,” he added.
The CS said the implementation of this project is expected to transform the communities in the target project areas by having more women as beneficiaries, increasing the productivity of selected crops, livestock and boosting their resilience through promoting Agricultural Technologies and Innovations suitable for these areas.
The CS said KCSAP is a five years project that is funded to the tune of US dollars 279.7 million. The funding level are; International Development Association (World Bank) – US dollars 250 million, Government of Kenya- US dollars 15.9 million, county governments US dollars 8.3 million and beneficiary contribution of US dollars 5.5 million.
The project is aimed at realizing 100 percent food and nutrition security under the governments’ big 4 agenda.
Munya asked the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to help farmers by keeping, selling and trading their products for it will prevent incurring debts.
He congratulated the project officers both from the National and the counties government for ensuring that out of the targeted 278,900 households in the 3rd year, 230,000 households have been reached.
A total of 59 (6 livestock based and 53 water related) sub-projects are currently under implementation. These projects are believed to benefit over 400,000 beneficiaries, 2 million animals at a cost of Sh.701 million.
“Focusing on the 24 Counties where the project is implemented, a total of 2,164 Community micro-projects estimated to cost Sh1.5 billion have been approved ready for implementation. We are also appealing to other agencies, development partners and the counties to join us in expanding the coverage of this project,” remarked Munya.
He also approved Sh1.9 billion for 73 sub county projects targeting 42 Water/National Resource Management, 22 on Livestock improvement and 9 Public Private Partnership initiatives.
Also in attendance were, the Tharaka Nithi County governor, Muthomi Njuki, the Agriculture Principal Secretary, Prof. Hamadi Boga, World Bank representative and 24 County Executive Committee Members for Agriculture.
Njuki advised farmers not to harvest and store moisturized cereals from farms during locust invasion.
“Farmers should not harvest their cereals and store them in moisture content during invasion of locusts. Locusts only feed on green leaves and the moisturized food products can cause aflatoxin,” added Njuki.
By Brian Oduya
