Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has urged farmers in the county to embrace the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), emphasising its potential to transform agriculture and improve livelihoods.
Addressing farmers during the NAVCDP official launch at his residence in Ruguri on Thursday, Igambang’ombe Sub-County, Governor Njuki presented a cheques of Sh 15 million to support the programme, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Tharaka Nithi, and this programme will help farmers access better markets, financial support, and modern farming technologies. I urge all farmers to take full advantage of this opportunity,” Njuki emphasized.
The governor further announced that 80,000 small-scale farmers in the county will be empowered to transition from subsistence to commercial farming through the NAVCDP initiative.
“For years, our farmers have struggled with small-scale farming for survival, but the time has come to move beyond subsistence. With this programme, we are equipping our farmers with the skills, resources, and market access they need to farm for profits,” he said, adding that agriculture should not just be about feeding families but should be a source of wealth and economic growth.
Tharaka Nithi, known as one of Kenya’s top agricultural counties, relies heavily on farming, with 80 per cent of its population engaging in agriculture. The NAVCDP initiative aims to increase market participation, enhance value addition, and improve access to digital technologies, irrigation, and financial support for farmers.
During the launch, officials highlighted the programme’s impact, particularly for women, with 30 per cent of female farmers set to benefit. Key agricultural value chain products identified for development include green grams, bananas, poultry, milk and coffee.
To strengthen farmers’ bargaining power and financial access, 15 savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) have been established, one per ward, to encourage farmers to sell their produce through SACCOs rather than individually in order to secure better prices.
“The strength of farmers lies in unity. Selling through SACCOs gives them more bargaining power than selling to middlemen,” said the Agriculture CEC Njue Kaithungu.
Kaithungu also highlighted the importance of educating farmers on agribusiness and market access, urging them to adopt modern agricultural techniques to increase productivity. He emphasized that the programme is designed not only to boost production but also to ensure that farmers reap maximum benefits from their hard work.
“For this programme to succeed, we must train farmers on agribusiness strategies, market research, and value addition. It’s not just about growing food; it’s about making agriculture profitable,” he echoed the sentiments of the governor.
Present during the event was the County Deputy Governor Nyaga Muisraeli, who praised devolution for enabling counties to take charge of their agricultural development, emphasising that agriculture is the backbone of Tharaka Nithi’s economy.
He, however, warned the county residents against illicit brews, stating that they negatively impact productivity:
“If our people engage in alcohol abuse, agriculture will suffer. We must ensure a clean and productive society,” he said.
Also present were the County Assembly Chairpersons, Jacob Kiriko (Agriculture) and Zachary Njagi (Water and Environment), who assured farmers that the programme would increase market access, improve climate resilience, and promote agribusiness opportunities. They also urged NAVCDP officials to stay committed to addressing the needs of farmers.
The project will also enhance access to irrigation and credit facilities besides mobilising 101,679 farmers through established county implementation structures.
NAVCDP is being implemented in 33 out of 47 counties in Kenya and is expected to transform agriculture through better market linkages, financial support, and technology adoption.
With strong support from both the county and national governments, farmers in Tharaka Nithi now have a promising opportunity to increase productivity, improve incomes, and secure a better future through agriculture.
By David Mutwiri and Christine Ngitori
