A Sh9.6 billion livestock commercialisation project jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Heifer International has been launched in Trans Nzoia.
County Director for Livestock Bashar Elmi said the project, which targets 10 counties, is on a pilot basis and its main goal is to contribute to the government’s agriculture transformation agenda, especially increasing rural small scale farmer’s income, food and nutritional security.
“The project has three components including climate smart production enhancement for small livestock, support for livestock market development, policy making and capacity development,” said Bashar.
He was speaking during a workshop for Livestock Production Officers and stakeholders at a hotel in Kitale.
The target counties include Trans-Nzoia, Baringo, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Siaya, Nakuru, Busia, Kakamega and Marsabit counties.
He said the six year project targets four value chains including small ruminant sheep, goat meat and dairy goat, local improved breed poultry, bee keeping and rabbit production value chains which have potential to provide productive employment and food security to women and youths in the targeted counties.
Trans-Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang’, said actualisation of the project has come at the right time for the farmers in the county since it would boost the diversification programme that encourages farmers to end over-dependence on maize production.
Ojwang’ committed to ensure his office would work closely with the County Government of Trans-Nzoia livestock department to guarantee prudent use of the funds in order to benefit livestock farmers in the county.
He said the project would be rolled out in all the 25 wards, among them Cherangany /Suwerwa Ward in Cherangani Sub County, Nabiswa ward Kiminini, Sub County Endebess ward in Endebess Sub County, and Saboti ward of Trans Nzoia West Sub County.
“For effective coordination/network, we have resolved to cascade the sensitisation programme to the sub counties level by involving the National Government Administration Officers and the County Administration team down to the wards,” Commissioner Ojwang’ said.
By Kosuri Valarie
