USAid grants Sh6bn for farmers in 9 counties

A farm worker farmer man feeding cows with hay and grass on animal farm. 

Photo credit: Shutterstock

More than 600,000 farmers will benefit $49 million (Sh6.3) billion grant from the US in a programme aimed at growing agribusiness in nine poverty-stricken counties.

The money, which is being given by the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) will also help Kenya deal with food insecurity.

Counties that will benefit from the five-year USAid Project, dubbed the Kenya Feed the Future Local Food Systems, include Bungoma, Busia, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kakamega, Makueni, Migori, and Siaya.

USAid chief of party Elizabeth Eckert said the programme would also support investments in other regions of Kenya to boost the flow of food, goods, and services to the nine counties.

“Food systems are critical to Kenya’s economic development, as the agri-food sector contributes to more than half of the nation’s gross domestic product and employs over 70 percent of the rural population,” said Ms Eckert.

“Kenya’s agri-food sector has the potential to support inclusive and resilient economic growth and deliver nutritious diets to vulnerable populations.”

The programme is expected to increase the incomes of farmers, pastoralists, and entrepreneurs by 50 percent even as they are equipped with new management practices and technologies in the selected counties.

USAid has partnered with the International nonprofit TechnoServe and will equally work with other private sector players to assist farmers confront challenges hindering them from stimulating growth in the agriculture sector.

“TechnoServe has a proven record of supporting regenerative agriculture, inclusive food processing, and distribution in underserved communities in Kenya. The Feed the Future Initiative is exciting because it combines our expertise with that of our partners to help transform the country’s food systems,” said Kris Ansin, TechnoServe’s Kenya country director.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Kenya’s economy, contributing to more than a fifth of the gross domestic product (GDP), or total output.

However, the earnings in the sector are minimal. Sometimes, and especially in the case of women, there is no payment for the work done in agriculture.

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