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Nyeri County is set to reveal a Sh500 million agriculture value chain initiative, designed to boost market engagement and target a minimum of 100,000 farmers.
The National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), funded by the World Bank, is scheduled for launch this month, with Nyeri County committing at least Sh20 million for its execution.
Governor Mutahi Kahiga announced the implementation of NAVCDP by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Aquaculture Development, focusing on five priority value chains: coffee, banana, avocado, Irish potato, and dairy farming.
The project aims to build on the success achieved by the National Agriculture and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and the recently concluded Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). Governor Kahiga praised the positive impact of these initiatives on milk and general farmers in areas like Mukurwe-ini and Kieni. The new project is expected to benefit 134,358 identified farmers.
The governor commended the improvements made by NARIGP and KCSAP and introduced NAVCDP. The County plans to increase investments in food security interventions, concentrating on enhancing food production and water management systems. They also aim to scale up value addition and market linkages.
The Department of Agriculture, according to Kahiga, will prioritize efficient water use through the development of water-efficient irrigation systems and the establishment of water harvesting projects. Additionally, they plan to strengthen the county’s capacity for drought adaptation and climate resilience by providing climate-resilient-certified seeds.
The project’s objectives include deepening investments in food production, community-led farmer extension, water management, value addition, market linkages, and credit access for participating farmers. Beyond farmers, other beneficiaries of the project are expected to include extension officers, aggregators, logistics support providers, and Small and Medium Enterprises operating within the value chains.
