Monday, June 10th, 2024
KITUI – The County Government of Kitui has initiated a series of pivotal general meetings across various wards in Kitui East Sub-County, aimed at empowering smallholder farmers through the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). The meetings, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives, were held in Endau/Malalani, Mutitu/Kaliku, and Zombe/Mwitika Wards.
NAVCDP, a project housed within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is designed to facilitate the transition of smallholder farmers from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. This transformation is to be achieved through increased value addition and enhanced market participation.
Leading the discussions, County Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, highlighted the project’s goal of enhancing access to affordable credit for farmers affiliated with Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and Vulnerable Marginalized Groups (VMGs). “The project is about creating sustainable livelihoods and transforming agriculture into a viable and attractive business in Kitui and beyond,” Dr. Kimwele stated.
Dr. Kimwele emphasized that beneficiaries will be linked to Farmer Producer Organizations across five priority value chains. This connection will provide access to quality agricultural inputs, adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, irrigation, extension services, value addition, and market linkages. “Governor Dr. Julius Malombe’s administration is committed to equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to maximize their productivity and profitability,” he noted.
Encouraging the youth to join SACCOs, Dr. Kimwele highlighted the support available through Inclusion Grants and Financial Inclusion Matching Grants. “This is a game-changer for Kitui farmers. I believe this project will take our farming to the next level,” he emphasized.
Also present at the meetings was Dr. Erastus Mbuno, the MCA for Endau/Malalani, alongside NAVCDP and County Agriculture Officers.
The sensitization effort marks a significant step towards agricultural transformation in Kitui, promising to elevate the livelihoods of local farmers through strategic support and resources.
CGoKT.Comm.Dept//__
