Kisumu: The drive to transform agriculture in Kisumu County has kicked off in earnest with the launch of the National Government Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), aimed at enhancing the commercialization of farming activities.
According to Kenya News Agency, NAVCDP, a World Bank-funded project, is set to benefit farmers across 35 wards within the lakeside county with focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the marketability of locally produced goods. Through the initiative, farmers will receive training, resources, and access to modern technologies that will enable them to scale up their operations and tap into new markets.
Kisumu County Director of Agriculture, Walter Oduma, said the project seeks to increase market participation and value addition for small-scale farmers to boost their income and food security. Speaking during an Agricultural exhibition at Kisumu South SDA Church in Nyalenda B ward, Oduma said through the project, farmers have been mobilized into Common Interests Groups (CIGs) through which they are expected to venture into agricultural practices of their choice.
All the CIG members have been put into Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) to enhance access to credit and wider markets. “We have established at least one Sacco in every ward where members can have access to loans and repay at low monthly interest rates,” he said. Farmers with good repayment records will access higher limits to expand their ventures and diversify production. This financial support will enable farmers to invest in better seeds, equipment, and infrastructure.
NAVCDP project representative, Monica Achieng, urged farmers in the county to take advantage of the project and join Common Interest Groups to take their farming to the next level. She emphasized that this was the way to commercialize agriculture in the area to guarantee farmers maximum benefits. Through the exhibition, farmers in Nyalenda B ward gained access to knowledge on modern farming techniques, pest control, and improved livestock and crop management.
The NAVCDP project will focus on multiple agricultural value chains, including crop production, livestock farming, and agribusiness development. It will prioritize increasing productivity and value addition, with the ultimate goal of reducing poverty, improving food security, and ensuring long-term economic sustainability for farmers. With the successful implementation of the project, Kisumu, which is among the 33 counties selected for the initiative, is expected to see an increase in agricultural productivity, rural incomes, and improved living standards for farmers.