More than 5,000 farmers in Western and Nyanza regions have adopted the smallholder poultry agribusiness development initiative for sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative, supported by TechnoServe organisation aims to sustainably improve the livelihoods of 12,000 smallholder poultry producers of indigenous chicken.
It comprises three primary activities including sustainably improving smallholder farmer poultry production, expanding access to financial services for small-holder poultry farmers and improving poultry market access for smallholder poultry farmers.
The initiative is being carried out in Homa Bay, Kakamega, Siaya and Vihiga counties among others.
TechnoServe Business Advisor Erick Ochanji said the project focuses on promoting rearing of local chickens to eradicate poverty among the residents.
He said more than 15,000 farmers (68 percent women) mobilised and trained on modern poultry production techniques.
He said they work with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries.
Speaking during the launch of Seme Farmers Services (Sefsa) in Seme sub county on Thursday, Ochanji urged locals to adopt commercial farming.
He also advised farmers to take advantage of the launched village bank to save and access loans to boost their businesses.
“We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets.” Ochanji said.
He said the initiative has generated significant results towards improvement of household incomes from poultry and creating an inclusive value chain.
“Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities, “Ochanji said.
He said there were also 10 farmer-owned, women-led poultry hubs registered as companies.
He added that 10 hubs have set up cottage poultry feed mixing enterprises for high quality feed
“More than $127,000 (about Sh12,954,000 million) raised by hubs in equity financing for these enterprises,” Ochanji said.
He added that five Financial Service Associations (FSAs) have also been set up and linked to respective hubs.