Twenty farmer SACCOs in Nyamira County have received funding worth Sh20 million courtesy of the World Bank to boost their farming and agribusiness ventures in the county.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Peris Monga’re, while issuing the money at Nyamira County headquarters, said the farmers were enrolled in a project called the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NAFCDP) funded by the World Bank.
“NAFCDP economically supports organised farmer groups that have agreed to venture into their priority value chains, including dairy, poultry, banana and vegetable farming to revolutionise agriculture and improve the lives of rural communities,” explained Dr. Mong’are.
“Agriculture is the backbone of the people of Nyamira, with over 80 percent of residents depending on farming for their livelihood. This programme has been very instrumental in enabling residents to be food secure and economically stable thereby tackling poverty for the huge rural population in Nyamira,” the CECM noted.
She clarified that the county’s main economic agricultural value chains include bananas, vegetables, coffee, and avocado, and with the right support, they have the potential to transform household incomes through value addition to gain access to bigger markets.
“All benefiting SACCOs have been sufficiently trained on proper financial management and utilisation of the grants to ensure the money leads to long-term impact in improving their lives and their dependents,” she confirmed.
She urged Saccos to mobilise more farmers, explaining that collective organisation makes it easier for government and development partners to provide targeted support.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for trade, tourism and cooperative development, Benard Maina, commented that the partnership between Kenya and the World Bank has benefited very many rural communities in Kenya and Nyamira farmers have an opportunity to fully tap into it to improve their lives through agribusiness ventures courtesy of the World Bank grant.
Dr. Mokaya Osoro, the county NAFCDP project coordinator, said the initiative will not only uplift thousands of farmers but also encourage processing of bananas, coffee, and avocado products locally, creating jobs and opening up new revenue streams.
“This programme is not just about short-term aid; it is about building sustainable agricultural enterprises that can compete regionally and internationally,” Dr. Osoro emphasised.
Among the beneficiaries was Denis Nyachieng’a from Township Tuner Community Sacco, who welcomed the support, saying the funds would help farmers increase production and benefit from numerous opportunities through farming startups.
Nyamira County’s NAFCDP project is a transformative initiative aimed to revolutionise agriculture and improving the lives of rural communities.
The project is a partnership between the government of Kenya and the World Bank to bring hope and opportunity to the county.
By Deborah Bochere and Joseph Sagini
