Donors fund 322 groups to
Boost farming in Machakos
By The Anchor Reporter
322 farmer groups in Machakos County have been funded with Kes. 248,404,146 to boost agricultural production.
This comes as three Farmers' Co-operative Societies also received funding to start processing their farm produce. The funding has seen five dams excavated through the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture project (KCSAP), who are part of the donor organisations.
Some of the key partners in the agricultural sector include the World Bank, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, African Development Bank as well as International Fund for Agriculture Development.
Yesterday, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti issued cheques to beneficiaries at an event at Machakos Peoples Park and claimed the event signified the launch of her campaign mantra 'Chakula Mezani,Pesa mfukoni."I am pleased to join you today during this launch of my government's “Chakula Mezani, Pesa Mfukoni” Initiatives" she said in her opening remarks.
She said her government has initiated several interventions, among them the issuance of free pasture and crop seeds, seedlings, pesticides and fertilizer, free chicks, goats, incubators, pond liners, chicken transport cages, fruit fly traps, fish fingerlings and feeds, livestock vaccination and free tractor service among others.
She announced that her government will construct 2 grain bulking silos; one to serve Yatta and Masinga sub-counties while the other will cater for Mwala and the neighboring sub counties.
She also announced that the Machakos Agricultural Training Centre would transformed to a modern facility for on-field research, seed propagation, training and farming demonstrations.
She added "I am glad to inform you that the Machakos ATC is now an accredited Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training Centre (ATVET).
Governor Wavinya issued cheques for procurement of different agricultural materials and inputs.
Beneficiaries include Kambusu Coffee Cooperative Society - Ksh 26,997,570,
Mukuyuni Coffee Cooperative Society - Ksh 28,315,000,
Kakuyuni Coffee Cooperative Society - Ksh 16,335,000,
Kola CDDC - Ksh 8,293,150,
Kalama CDDC - Ksh 7,756,027,
Masii CDDC - Ksh 8,059,510,
Muthetheni CDDC - Ksh 7,987,580,
Katangi CDDC - Ksh 8,347,000 and Ikombe CDDC - Ksh 7,290,000.
Others to benefit are Matungulu North CDDC - Ksh 4,750,000,
Masinga Central CDDC - Ksh 4,250,000,Mbiuni CDDC - Ksh 4,000,000,
Kivaa CDDC - Ksh 4,000,000,
Masinga Mixed Farmers - Ksh 500,000,
Kayatta Irrigation SACCO - Ksh 500,000, Kalau CBO - Ksh 500,000 and Mwangaza CBO - Ksh 500,000.
