United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with 23 counties in a food security initiative that will benefit over 500,000 small-holder farmers.
The programme under the Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development targets a value chain in horticulture, dairy, livestock, maize and other drought tolerant crops.
USAID Kenya and East Africa Mission Director Karen Freeman says the project that will run for three years has a budget of Sh2.5 billion.
“The implementation of this noble agricultural enterprise project is a demonstration of the partnership between the Kenyan government, both national and county in improving lives of the citizens through innovating agricultural practices,” said Ms Freeman.
The program seeks to widely apply technologies and innovations for selected value chains in order to competitively and sustainably increase productivity, contributing to inclusive agricultural growth, nutrition and food security in the country.
It is expected to strengthen producer organisations, link producers to markets, improve input supply, facilitate more efficient business practices and farmer friendly policies that contribute to a growing national economy.
The programme will be implemented in Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Kisumu, Homa Bay and is one of President Barrack Obama’s programmes aimed at uplifting the live-hoods of farmers in the country.
Governors Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Zachary Obado (Migori) and Sospeter Ojaamong' (Busia) will oversee its implementation.
Other partners in its management include the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) together with the International Crops Research Institute of Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the International Potato Centre (CIP) amongst others.