Governor Waiguru Gives Sh42.5 Million to Farmers

Governor Anne Waiguru has issued a cheque worth Ksh. 42.54 million to farmers, under the Wezesha Kirinyaga program to support farmers engaged in nine agriculture value chains among them; Dairy, avocado, tomato, chicks, beekeeping, dairy goats, fish, pig rearing, and egg hatching. 

The money will be shared among 204 groups to enable them to increase production and productivity for food security and poverty reduction. 

Speaking while issuing the cheques, Waiguru noted that the initiative is aimed at strategically positioning farmers to be the number one suppliers of raw materials for the upcoming processing industries at the Sagana Industrial Park.  

“Greater productivity can boost farmers’ income, especially for smallholder farmers, who have limited resources to leverage on growing and marketing their produce. Increasing productivity in agriculture is also critical to reducing poverty,” she stated. 

The Kirinyaga governor mentioned that each of the 20 wards would have one Sacco comprised of members drawn from the farmer's groups that are being supported by the county government through the Wezesha Kirinyaga program.

“Eventually, the Saccos will be able to offer e-voucher program for subsidized farm inputs, provide crop and livestock insurance as well as aggregate and market the farmers’ produce,” remarked Waiguru. 

The county government had previously disbursed a total of Ksh. 380.2 million out of which Ksh. 210.7 million was given to farmers groups and Ksh. 169.5 million went to farmers cooperatives.