Kakamega: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has conducted a mid-term review of the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KeLCoP) in Kakamega County to identify and address challenges and gaps in its implementation. The Country Director Mariatu Kamara, who spoke during a visit to Tropical Spring Youth Group in Lumakanda location, in Lugari Sub County, acknowledged the support and commitment of county government officers at the grassroots level towards implementation of KeLCoP activities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kamara emphasized the need to accelerate improvement in the execution of the projects by identifying and addressing existing gaps through innovative approaches to allocation of funds, implementation, and monitoring for maximum benefit. She stated that the mid-term review mission aims to evaluate the progress of KeLCoP since its inception and to strengthen the program. Kamara stressed the importance of assessing whether the communities are well-supported and if the agreed objectives are being met.
Kamara commended the youth group for engaging in agricultural activities, which are often avoided by the youthful population. She noted that the main idea is to attract more youth into the agriculture sector. KeLCoP is a Government of Kenya-funded program through a loan from IFAD, aimed at enhancing the commercialization of the country’s livestock sector and improving the livelihoods of small-scale livestock farmers.
Kakamega County Chief Officer for Livestock Jessica Wesonga praised IFAD for the KeLCoP initiative, noting its transformative impact on the livelihoods of the benefiting communities. Wesonga stated that her department will take stock of the mid-term review process to identify and build on successful strategies while addressing challenges. She commended Tropical Spring Youth Group for venturing into commercial beekeeping and announced the delivery of additional beehives to the group through KeLCoP.
Tropical Spring Youth Group chairman Clinton Imbwenya expressed gratitude to KeLCoP for jumpstarting their beekeeping commercialization journey. He outlined the challenges they faced before KeLCoP’s involvement, particularly low honey production due to a lack of technical know-how. After engaging with KeLCoP, the group received training and resources, significantly increasing their beehive count and honey production capabilities.
Imbwenya highlighted the group’s progress, moving from 120 to 412 beehives, and appealed to KeLCoP for benchmarking opportunities with other successful apiculture groups. The 20-member group, which started in 2019, also practices aquaculture, poultry farming, and vegetable growing, aiming for community transformation through sustainable agribusiness.
