Machakos County has collaborated with the World Bank to distribute agricultural inputs worth US$81.5mn to farmer groups within the town in Kenya
According to a report by Kenya News Agency, the initiative will provide agricultural inputs to 367 farmer groups, benefitting around 10,000 households with the Kathetheni, Masii, Ikombe, Kola, and Kalama wards. The primary objective of the initiative is to improve production capacity within Machakos County.
Agricultural inputs mainly include 50,307 one-month-old indigenous chicks, three incubator units, 61 Sahiwal yearling cows, 1,725 goats, 1,827 assorted fertiliser bags, 437 wheelbarrows, 1,444 bags of chick feed, 540 ox-drawn ploughs, 1,293 pieces of iron sheets, and 1,263 multi-story gardens.
Speaking at the launch, Governor Wavinya Ndeti mentioned that her government would be mobilising all available resources to help farmers recover from the impact of the drought. The report also mentioned the Governor highlighting that a community development-driven approach was being used to deliver numerous projects that had been initiated including the 'Maziwa na Mali' initiative, which aims to boost milk production among dairy farmers.
She also urged the grant management committee to maintain transparency and accountability while handling resources on behalf of the farmers and Machakos people. As the Governor encouraged residents to exploit available opportunities in crop production, aquaculture and livestock proiduction, she was confident that the gesture would ensure higher yields, improved food security, and a boost in farm productivity, thereby greatly contributing to the country's wealth.
