Farmers to benefit from Sh150m interest-free loans Kenya Commercial Bank

Narok County government has pledged an additional Sh120 million to top up the Sh30 million interest-free loan provided by Kenya Commercial Bank to boost livestock farmers.

Governor Samuel Tunai said yesterday the joint initiative will benefit up to 30 groups, with each having up to 300 farmers.

He said each co-operative will receive Sh1 million, noting that farmers will be expected to account for the support through successful agricultural best practices.

"We have always emphasised that we will not meet the commitments to our farmers on our own," said Tunai. "I promised that we will reach out to our major partners who see the future of our farmers through our lenses."

He noted that the support and co-operation of KCB Foundation will boost livelihoods of farmers in the county. "This partnership has a clear objective to reduce poverty, reduce vulnerability and improve the state of our agricultural economy," said the governor. "We have set out to improve the livelihoods of livestock farmers by ensuring there is value addition to their products."

Poor husbandry

Tunai explained that the county has continued to grapple with low quality breeds compounded by poor husbandry and high incidences of pests and diseases. "The first phase of this project will constitute value addition, capacity building and investments involving strategic and business planning support with management and organisational development," he said.

"This will be by supporting investments required to scale up the animal holding capacity, fodder production and breeding services while supporting processing, branding and marketing of Narok livestock produce."

The governor said they already negotiated with an investor who is willing to establish a slaughter house. "We want to construct a modern slaughterhouse to save our people from the long distance they cover when taking their animals to Dagoreti in Nairobi," he observed.

The governor pointed out that the abattoir will serve the greater South Rift Region, including Narok, Kajiado, Baringo and Nakuru counties upon its completion.

He said the county is exploring ways of adding value to most of the products that are produced in the county. "Our farmers are yet to reap maximum returns because they still export their produce without any value addition," said Tunai, adding that they recently donated 15 coolers to the county's dairy farmers at a cost of Sh127 million.

KCB Group Director John Nyerere said the project aims at commercialising the livestock sector in the next five years. "As a group, we are implementing this project to empower farmers from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands so as to reap maximum returns from their produce," said Nyerere.

He said the Mifugo ni Mali project seeks to help farmers add value to their products.

"Through the livestock value-chain development project, KCB Foundation will provide initial loans to co-operatives in the dairy and meat value chains for value addition, market expansion, health, nutrition and breed improvement services," he said, adding that the partnership will work to reduce poverty and develop the county's economy.