Over 156,000 farmers in Makueni to receive training in key value chains
Patrick Nyakundi-KNA
At least 156,000 farmers in Makueni County will be trained under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVDCDP) across the various value chains.
This is to transform agriculture into a dynamic sector, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr said.
Mutula said the farmers to be trained are those involved in key value chains like mangoes, apiculture, tomatoes, poultry and dairy with a view to increasing their participation, enhancing value addition and creating sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurship.
He disclosed that under the project, 30 ward-based Saccos have been formed to drive agriculture and enable them to access credit and farm inputs easily to boost farming activities in the county.
“My government will empower farmers with skills and resources across key value chains and ensure they are involved in market participation and improve agriculture,” Mutula said at Unoa Sports Ground during Jamhuri Day celebrations.
During the celebrations, he presented a cheque of Sh6 million to six SACCOs aimed at boosting their capacity to support farmers effectively and create jobs especially for the unemployed youths.
“So far 13 Saccos have qualified for inclusion grants to help improve their operations. In November, I had presented Sh9 million to nine cooperatives and today six others have benefitted, this is going to enhance the Saccos to be able to support the farmers effectively,” he added.
Mutula said the county was proud to host Eni Kenya at Kwa Kathoka, which is the first of its kind agri-hub in the country, that produces biofuel and related products, saying it has created jobs for hundreds of residents besides improving farming activities in the area.
“The plant is also generating income for tens of thousands of farmers beyond job creation, the agri-hub serves as a platform for innovation and skills development,” he said.
On water, the governor said with the assistance of partners like USAID- Sustainable Transformational, and Accessible Water Interventions (STAWI), Water Mission-Kenya, World Vision, among others, is working to ensure Makueni has sufficient water with at least 70 per cent by 2027.
Consequently, he disclosed that the county government is working to bridge the 4,500 cubic meters daily water demand for Wote town by operationalizing Kaiti II Sand Dam and installing solar power at Mwaani Borehole and enhancing the pumping capacity of Kamunyolo Dam respectively.
Mutula said that 10,000 residents in 10 villages, 10 schools and seven markets and one community organization are targeted to benefit from distribution of water from Ndukuma Dam in the area.
Speaking at the event, Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Duncan Darusi warned residents against vandalizing government projects, especially those in the water sector in the county.
In this regard, he called on the residents to supplement government efforts in providing information to arrest the culprits to face the law accordingly to end the vice.
“We have witnessed rampant vandalism, the national and county government has put infrastructure in place to bring services to wananchi but there is the enemy of development who are vandalizing water projects, transformers and railway.
"You as citizens, you must work with the government and expose those involved,” Darusi said, after reading the President’s speech during Jamhuri Day celebrations.
On festivals, he warned drivers against driving while drunk, saying they risk prosecution if found while assuring the residents that the government will provide security during this festival season.
Those present included Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Department of Agriculture Joyce Mutua, her counterparts for Devolution Nicolas Nzioka, Gender Eng. Sabastian Kyoni and national and county government officials.