For years, one of the biggest hurdles facing farmers in Taita Taveta has not been producing crops or livestock, but accessing affordable credit to expand their enterprises.
Many smallholder farmers have relied on informal lenders or middlemen who often dictate prices, limiting their ability to invest in better inputs, value addition and profitable markets.
The County Government of Taita Taveta is now positioning Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) as the solution to that challenge, rolling out an ambitious plan to strengthen cooperative institutions and expand financial inclusion across all 20 wards.
The latest milestone came with the launch of Gaye Rural SACCO in Kasighau Ward, an institution expected to provide affordable financial services to farmers while supporting food security and agribusiness development.
Speaking during the launch, Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo said the SACCO would help reduce exploitation by middlemen, promote value addition and enable farmers to access affordable credit for agricultural production.
“The SACCO was established through a partnership between the county government and the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), which seeks to strengthen farmer organizations and improve agricultural productivity,” Kilalo said.
Under the programme, the county has committed to providing matching grants of up to Sh3 million for each ward SACCO on a shilling-for-shilling savings basis.
Kilalo urged residents to register as members and save consistently to unlock the grants while positioning themselves to benefit from government agricultural programmes.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Cooperatives, Irrigation and Blue Economy, Danson Katuu Mzenge, challenged members to increase their savings, saying stronger capital mobilization would enable each SACCO to qualify for the full matching grant.
Chief Officer for Agriculture and Cooperative Development, Mcharo Mwalugha, emphasized that farmers seeking opportunities under NAVCDP must belong to both a cooperative society and a SACCO, arguing that organized farmer institutions remain central to sustainable agricultural transformation.
Kasighau MCA, Amos Makalo, described the new SACCO as a game changer for local farmers, urging residents to embrace collective savings and cooperative development to increase productivity and household incomes.
The launch reflects a broader county strategy that has gathered momentum over the past few years.
According to the county government, Taita Taveta currently has 281 registered cooperative societies, including 20 ward SACCOs established to improve access to financial services at the grassroots.
County officials say efforts are now focused on strengthening governance, training cooperative leaders and promoting savings and investment to build resilient community-owned financial institutions.
Speaking during the 104th International Co-operative Day celebrations, Katuu reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to using cooperatives as engines of economic empowerment and inclusive development.
“The Cooperative sector remains one of the county’s key pillars for improving livelihoods, expanding financial inclusion and supporting agricultural commercialization,” Katuu said.
Through NAVCDP, 20 SACCOs have already received inclusion grants worth Sh19.2 million to strengthen their operations.
In addition, six SACCOs have benefited from Sh3.84 million in matching grants, while another 14 SACCOs are expected to receive Sh10 million collectively to improve farmers’ access to affordable credit.
County Cooperative Development Forum Chairman, Daniel Makoko, said cooperatives play a critical role beyond finance, describing them as institutions that build social cohesion, create employment and improve household incomes.
He noted that strong cooperative movements contribute to both economic growth and peaceful communities by encouraging collective responsibility and shared prosperity.
Mwalugha also challenged cooperative officials and ranch leaders to uphold integrity and accountable leadership, saying strong institutions depend on transparency, member confidence and prudent financial management.
To sustain the momentum, the county government has announced plans to establish a dedicated Cooperative Fund that will provide affordable revolving financing for cooperative societies.
Officials say the fund will complement existing national programmes by ensuring cooperatives continue accessing capital beyond donor-supported initiatives.
As Taita Taveta expands its network of ward SACCOs, county leaders believe the strategy will not only increase financial inclusion but also strengthen agricultural value chains, empower rural entrepreneurs and accelerate economic development across the county.
For thousands of farmers, the success of the initiative may ultimately be measured not by the number of cooperatives registered, but by whether easier access to affordable credit translates into higher incomes, stronger businesses and more resilient rural communities.
By Arnold Linga Masila
