Baringo Governor, Stanley Kiptis, has encouraged people living with disabilities (PLDWs), widows, widowers and single parents to form farmer groups in order for them to get support from National and County Governments and development partners.
Governor Kiptis noted that such disadvantaged groups have been isolated in the society yet they are depended by their own families to raise school fees for their children as well as in the provision of basic needs and other financial obligations.
He noted that if they are included in viable agricultural activities and income generating enterprises, they can be able to borrow loan to start businesses aimed at improving their socio-economic livelihoods.
The Governor made the call, on Wednesday, at the Kimalel Goat Auction grounds in Marigat Sub-county, during a livestock improvement programme, where he distributed 363 male Galla bucks to farmers drawn from all livestock rearing wards in the County.
“I am urging widows, widowers, single parents and PWDs from the region to join a group and I promise you that my administration will ensure you are prospering in whatever productive activity you have chosen to venture into,” county boss said.
The Governor who was accompanied by his deputy Jacob Chepkwony and county executive committee members in charge of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Joel Koima stated that his government in the 2020-2021 financial year has allocated 90 per cent of its flagship projects funds to agriculture since it is the backbone of the economy of the region and would like all residents to benefit.
The Governor revealed that the county government has allocated Sh 450 million through the Kenya Smart Climate Agriculture to benefit farmers from six selected wards of Tenges, Mogotio, Koibatek, Kapropita, Emining and Lembus Perkerra.
The funds, he stated, will help farmers from the identified wards to engage in income generating programmes that in the short and long run empower the beneficiaries economically.
He pointed out that in the livestock programme, they will be donating Galla bucks and Sahiwal bulls across the vast County, especially in pastoralist inhabited zones to help in improvement of indigenous breeds thus boost yields and enhance productivity of the local animals.
The number of Galla bucks so far distributed in the County in the past two weeks comes to 468 with the Governor, indicating that more will be purchased and dished out next week.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
