Kirinyaga County Allocates Sh 42.54 Million to Boost Smallholder Farmers

Kirinyaga, Kirinyaga County – Governor Anne Waiguru of Kirinyaga County has issued a check for Sh42.54 million to support farmer groups engaged in various agricultural value chain projects. This funding, part of the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, will be distributed among 204 groups to enhance production, bolster food security, and reduce poverty in the region.

According to Kenya News Agency, the funds are intended to assist farmers involved in diverse agriculture value chains, including dairy, avocado, tomato, chicks, beekeeping, dairy goats, fish, pig rearing, and egg hatching. In her address during the check issuance, she also launched 20 ward-based multi-value chain farmers’ Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Saccos). These Saccos are expected to play a crucial role in empowering smallholder farmers by providing affordable operational capital, savings and credit services, market and production information, and financial education.

The initiatives are strategically designed to position farmers as primary suppliers of raw materials for the upcoming processing industries in the Sagana Industrial Park. Governor Waiguru emphasized the importance of cooperatives in boosting farmers’ productivity and income, particularly for smallholder farmers with limited resources. By pooling financial and technical resources, cooperatives help reduce costs and draw from collective member experiences.

Each of the 20 wards in Kirinyaga will establish a Sacco comprising members from farmer groups supported through the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme. The Saccos are expected to eventually offer services like an e-voucher programme for subsidized farm inputs, crop and livestock insurance, and aggregation and marketing of farmers’ produce.

This funding marks the second batch of the third phase of financial support for the groups, with the county government having previously disbursed a total of Sh380.2 million. The goal is to enhance agricultural production and productivity, positioning farmers as key suppliers for processing industries in the industrial park.

Governor Waiguru also provided support for the establishment and setup of Sacco offices, including computers and printers, to ensure high-quality service delivery. The county government will cover one-year rent for the Sacco offices, salaries for a bookkeeper, and statutory fees to facilitate successful operations.

The Saccos have already mobilized 1,666 members and amassed Sh2.9 million in savings, share capital, and registration. Governor Waiguru encouraged all farmers to join these cooperatives to benefit from their services. Testimonials from local farmers like Evangeline Karimi and Cyrus Wambugu highlight the positive impact of the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme and the newly launched Saccos on their agricultural endeavors, with a focus on transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming.