Kericho: Kericho County through the department for agriculture has launched an initiative to revolutionize agriculture by setting up strong cooperative societies in all its 30 wards. This transformative action aims to boost farmer incomes, widen market access, and usher in a new era of modern, sustainable farming, positioning the county as a model for grassroots-driven transformation under the national Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
According to Kenya News Agency, the plan was unveiled during a visit by senior officials from the President’s Economic Transformation Secretariat (PETS), who were in the county to assess preparedness for the rollout of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme (NAVCDP). The delegation, from the Office of the President, is offering strategic support to counties implementing the flagship program.
Speaking at a hotel in Kericho, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Magerer Langat, said the initiative is designed to directly benefit farmers by decentralizing agricultural services, promoting cooperative-driven development, and improving access to essential inputs and markets. Langat stated, “We are setting up strong, multi-enterprise cooperatives that will operate as training centers, aggregation points, and distribution hubs, bringing services closer to the farmer. The positive impact will be felt almost immediately: better access to certified seeds, timely delivery of fertilizer suited to specific soils in specific areas of the county, and structured support across diverse agricultural enterprises.”
Mr. Langat highlighted the transformative potential of the ward-based model, noting that it aligns with farmers’ real-world needs, particularly in regions where mixed farming is practiced. He added, “In this County a farmer often engages in more than one agricultural practice like growing coffee, rearing dairy cattle, and keeping bees all on the same farm. That is why multi-enterprise cooperatives will be brought on board to provide integrated support, allowing them to scale up and earn more from each venture.”
The county is also scaling up livestock services, including vaccination programs, improved feed systems, and breed enhancement to boost dairy productivity. In addition, the county government is working with SACCOs to guarantee timely payments and improve farmers’ access to credit and savings platforms.
According to Langat, Kabianga Dairy Cooperative Society in Kabianga ward has been selected as a pilot site and received an additional Sh6.5 million in county funding to enhance its operations under NAVCDP. Langat emphasized, “We are not just supporting farmers. We are building an economy around agriculture. The outcomes will speak for themselves: thriving cooperatives, increased production, and prosperity at the grassroots.”
To ensure sustainability, the county is looking forward to partnering with seed companies to secure high-quality planting materials and is finalizing with certified suppliers. Farmers are optimistic that the approach will cut red tape, reduce post-harvest losses, and open new income streams through organized marketing. The expectation is that as cooperatives take root in every ward, Kericho will witness a surge in production, job creation, and youth involvement in agribusiness.