NYERI — Nyeri County is set to unveil a substantial Sh500 million agriculture value chain project, targeting over 100,000 farmers and focusing on increasing market participation. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), funded by the World Bank, is scheduled for launch this month. Nyeri County will contribute Sh20 million towards the project’s implementation. The NAVCDP, managed by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Aquaculture Development, will focus on five key agricultural areas: coffee, banana, avocado, Irish potato, and dairy farming.
The project is designed to build upon the achievements of the National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). These programs have been instrumental in transitioning small-scale farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture, with 134,358 farmers already identified to benefit from NAVCDP.
Governor Kahiga underscored the successes of NARIGP and KCSAP, particularly in improving conditions for milk and general farmers in regions such as Mukurwe-ini and Kieni. He highlighted that the introduction of NAVCDP is a continuation of the county’s efforts to boost food security. The county’s strategy includes increasing investments in food production and water management systems, enhancing value addition, and strengthening market linkages.
The Department of Agriculture will prioritize the development of water-efficient irrigation systems and the establishment of water harvesting projects, aiming to optimize water usage. Additionally, the department plans to enhance the county’s resilience to drought and climate change by providing climate-resilient-certified seeds to farmers.
Governor Kahiga elaborated that the project’s broader objectives include deepening investments in food production, community-led farmer extension services, water management, value addition, market linkages, and providing credit access to participating farmers. The NAVCDP will not only benefit farmers but also engage other value chain actors, including extension officers, aggregators, logistics support providers, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the agricultural sector.
