Three governors have lauded the launch of a food security initiative by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) terming it an avenue to boost the region’s economic growth.
USAID has partnered with 23 counties in a food security initiative that will benefit 500,000 small-holder farmers and their families.
The program under the Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development targets a value chain in horticulture, dairy, livestock, maize and other drought tolerant crops.
The program is expected to run for three years with a budget of Sh2.5 billion.
Governors, Cyprian Awiti (Homa bay), Okoth Obado (Migori) and Jack Ranguma speaking during the launch of the program that will be implemented in Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Kisumu, Homa bay and Migori counties said they will support the implementation of the program by setting aside some funds in their budgets.
They said the program will also add value to the existing agricultural potential in West Kenya region.
Mr Awiti said the program will go a long way in fighting and eradicating poverty.
“This program will complement our efforts in eradicating food insecurity and hunger," he said.
On his part, Mr Obado said the project will help create synergy in farming and enhance the growth of industrialization in the respective counties.
“We need a holistic approach to address farmers constrains and the initiative would create the desired impact for dairy production within Migori,” he said.
Ranguma said the program would be useful towards the realization of Vision 2030 which seeks to address food insecurity in the country.