Homa Bay:Farmers in Homa Bay County are set to benefit from over Sh52 million in grants, aimed at strengthening farmer organizations and expanding agricultural businesses. This funding is part of an initiative to enhance the lending capacities of savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos).
According to Kenya News Agency, the grants were disbursed under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). The funds will support Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Saccos, and other agricultural structures. NAVCDP County project coordinator Henry Nzinga stated that the funding includes inclusion grants to cover essential operational costs for farmer organizations and Saccos, including office equipment and bookkeeping services.
A matching grant will provide capital to Saccos, enabling them to increase lending to their members. The allocation includes Sh28.4 million in inclusion grants and Sh16.4 million in matching grants, with an additional Sh8 million for Community Driven Development Committees (CDDCs) to establish agricultural demonstration sites.
The project plans to establish 160 demonstration sites across the county, offering farmers practical learning opportunities. Agripreneurs received 40 digital agricultural resource kits worth Sh5.5 million to aid in their extension services responsibilities.
The initiative supports five key value chains rice, coffee, banana, dairy, and cotton. Currently, the project collaborates with 5,722 farmer groups and has established 40 Saccos, one for each ward in the county.
Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joash Oloo emphasized the importance of this funding in providing farmers with the capital and support needed to grow their enterprises. He highlighted the potential benefits for young people and women, aiming to transform them into job creators.
Deputy Governor Dannish Onyango noted that strengthening farmers’ organizations would enhance productivity and create employment opportunities. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa to address food loss and wastage, aiming to maximize economic value for farmers.
