The National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) has disbursed Sh73.9 million to farmers in Homa Bay to increase productivity in poultry, dairy, banana and cotton farming sectors.
NARIGP, which is funded by the World Bank, gave out the money to a total of 200 farmer self-help groups and co-operatives in a move to boost the value chain.
The fund is meant to help poultry farmers construct poultry houses and acquire hatcheries and feed formulation machines while cooperative institutions will be able to procure tractors and establish milk processing units in the dairy farming segment.
There are more than 118,000 farmers set to benefit from this move both directly and indirectly.
Speaking during the event, Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti said they have also handed out 20 motorcycles to the farmer groups besides being taken through a number of trainings to equip them with requisite skills to increase productivity.
“I am glad that this project will have 18 640 farmers benefiting directly while over 120 000 other farmers will also benefit indirectly. We have commissioned 20 motorbikes meant to help the farmer groups in mobility while undertaking production activities,” said Awiti.
Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata urged the next government to take over the project with seriousness as it is capable of changing the lives of the people of Homa Bay.
“I want to encourage the incoming government to emulate what we have achieved in the agricultural sector by giving a lot of focus to NARIGP which is significant and can raise the living standards of our people,” said Orata.
He urged the farmers to be ambassadors of the project to ensure that food security in the county is taken a notch higher.
By Brian Odhiambo and Sitna Omar
