African farmers to benefit from US$56 million fund

Farmers from drought-stricken areas in Africa are set to benefit from a US$56mn fund from the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The fund is part of the US$124mn to be issued by the AfDB for the first stage of a ‘green economy’ drought prevention project.

“The implementation of the inclusive green programme will have a deep-rooted environmental and socio-economic impact in these regions,” the AfDB stated.

Three African countries - Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia - and the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have been working on the first phase of the regional project.

Support will be provided to farmers in the Baringo, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana and West Pokot regions of Kenya, which have all been affected by drought.

According to an AfDB statement, the project will aid 12mn people, 98mn cattle and 173mn sheep and goats in the affected regions. 

The project will also aim to improve storage, marketing and transportation facilities, including the upgrading of rural roads.