Small scale farmers in Nandi, Kakamega and Vihiga counties living along forested areas will from a Sh350 million environmental conservation project set to boost food security.
The project aims at building farmers’ capacities in the region regarding good agricultural practices to avoid further destruction of ecosystem in forested areas, including Kakamega and Kimondi forests.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett said the initiative was informed by the need to increase and improve agricultural productivity through empowering smallholder farmers, with direct intention to ease pressure on ecosystems in the Western region.
“The involvement of small scale farmers in protecting the tropical forests is crucial; we will be able to curb massive destruction of the public forests,” he said.
The UNEP-funded project has brought together Alliance of Green Revolution in Africa, World Agroforestry Centre and the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation.
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