Kitui County Seeks to Bolster Agricultural Resilience Through New Partnerships

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

In a bid to strengthen agricultural resilience in Kitui County, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya, hosted a significant meeting with key representatives from the World Food Program (WFP), World Vision, and the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) at the Kitui Agricultural Training Center (ATC). The purpose of this meeting was to explore potential collaborations and interventions across vital sectors such as Agriculture, Livestock, Water, Irrigation, Trade, and Cooperatives.

A major outcome of the meeting was a commitment to enhance extension services and introduce crop insurance schemes to mitigate the risks faced by farmers during extreme drought periods. The partners also recognized the importance of fostering collaboration through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) and the formation of cooperative societies (saccos). These initiatives aim to improve financial inclusion for farmers and provide them with better access to markets by aggregating farm produce.

The meeting underscored the need for increased civic education, focusing on sensitizing and empowering farmers on various agricultural issues. This strategy is expected to encourage the adoption of resilient and sustainable practices, which will enhance food security and economic stability in Kitui County.

Dr. Mbaya reaffirmed the county’s commitment, under the leadership of Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, to work closely with development partners. He emphasized Kitui County’s readiness to fully collaborate and partner with global organizations to improve the livelihoods of its residents.

Claudia Ahpoe, the team leader for the World Food Program, highlighted the critical role of partnerships in delivering services to farmers. She expressed gratitude to the county leadership for their collaboration and coordination thus far and expressed optimism about future partnerships.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Officers Gladys Kivoto (Agriculture and Fisheries), Jonathan Kyambi (Livestock and Apiculture), Brettah Mwangangi (Irrigation), Nathan Vungo (Water), and Paul Monyi (Cooperatives), alongside other senior officials.