Kalemnyang – 16th September,2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Farmer Service Centres in Turkana South,Turkana Central and Loima Sub-Counties have benefitted from equipment meant to advance production and self reliance.
The equipment was donated by Mastercard Foundation and World Food Programme (WFP) through the ‘Vijana in Kilimobizz’ initiative.
WFP Program Officer, Philip Mwaniki, noted that the initiative was a joint venture together with the County Government to encourage entry of youths and women into the agricultural value chain, and benefit from it’s employment opportunities.
“The Project is a shift from saving lives to changing lives hence the need to build capacities of local enterprises through the farmer service centers model,” he said.
Mwaniki implored on youths and women to diversify further to poultry rearing as the area was still under exploited despite it’s huge potential.
This he said will help not only deliver much-needed agriculture and livelihood supplies but also improve the livelihoods of the youth and women.
Livestock Production Officer, Joel Maraka, appreciated WFP for the initiative which he said will help complement the County efforts of food security and self reliance among youths and women.
“The Directorate of Livestock Production will support the small holder farmers especially poultry farmers through trainings and extension Services so that farmers can get more out of their harvest,” he said.
Naomi Eyanae, a local farmer, engaged in poultry and chick production acknowledged WFP and the County for the incubator and accessories which she said is an opportunity to create employment for more youths in Turkana.
“With the new equipment, we will expand operations and increase productivity of chicks effectively. This will enable farmers access eggs and sourcing for chicks will be easier as well as supply eggs and chicks locally.”
The farmers were given two incubators with a 1584 capacity each, motorized spray pumps and climate smart vertical grow bags.
In addition to the centres, the project has also supported Impressa and Eliye Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kalokol and Eliye with 500 fishing nets as part of the initiative implemented to advance productivity of the fisher folks.
