The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in collaboration with the National Government and the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government has initiated a project to enhance the livestock production value chain.
Implemented under the Livestock Commercialisation Programme, the project encompasses various pivotal undertakings that promise to reshape the region’s agricultural landscape.
The Livestock Commercialisation Programme, spanning six years, is set to make transformative strides in Cherangany-Chebororwa, Tambach, Soy North, and Sambirir Wards.
Among the key initiatives outlined in the project are the overhaul and automation of the Iten slaughterhouse, the enhancement of the Kipcheptem sale yard in Soy North Ward, and the installation of solar-powered systems in the Kapseret borehole in Cherangany-Chebororwa Ward.
Addressing the press during the supervision of the programme, Ronald Ajengo, IFAD’s country coordinator for Kenya, underscored the programme’s core objectives.
“The main idea is to improve for the smallholder farmers on their participation in the market and enable them to commercialise their operations so they can improve their income,” he stated.
Ajengo further elaborated on the project’s scope, emphasising its focus on supporting communities in improving the productivity of their small livestock and facilitating market access and financial services.
He disclosed that the programme targets approximately 6,800 households in Elgeyo Marakwet alone, with a budget of $68 million allocated for ten counties participating in the initiative, allocation per county will depend on activities and the individual investment that a county has identified.
Expressing his satisfaction with the progress, Ajengo highlighted the identification of 4,800 households in Elgeyo Marakwet, signaling a promising start for the programme.
However, he indicated that the extension to other wards would hinge on a midterm review scheduled for the following year.
“That will depend on the implementation progress and the successes that the projects will be able to achieve with the first few wards and also the availability of funds,” Ajengo explained.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich echoed Ajengo’s sentiments, emphasising the transformative potential of the Livestock Commercialisation Programme.
The programme targets 6,800 households directly, translating to the wealth creation policy of the county that states that every household should have a way of getting income,” Governor Rotich affirmed.
By Rennish Okong’o
