By KPC Reporter
A multi-million dollar project and grant are set to transform agricultural value chains in the Lake Region Economic Bloc according to a report published by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on Tuesday.
The $29.2 million Green Climate Fund (GCF) and another $20.8 million will be injected into the region in a co-financing initiate.
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The Lake Region Bloc counties are: Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega,Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nyamira, Siaya,Trans Nzoia, Kericho,Bomet, Nandi and Vihiga.
This is projected to 2.7 million people, half of whom are women, according to FAO.
This densely populated region is highly dependent on agriculture, but climate change impacts such as increasing temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and floods threaten food security and livelihoods.
“The Kenyan government is strongly committed to addressing climate change impacts, implementing ambitious policies and measures to achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution goals as outlined in the Botton-Up Economic Agenda (BETA),” the report quoted John Mbadi, Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury as saying.
“The Kenyan government greatly appreciates FAO Kenya’s crucial support in building climate resilience within the agricultural sector through this GCF program and pledges its full support and commitment in its implementation.”
The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, Agriterra, and the Government of Denmark, will promote climate-resilient and low-carbon practices in six value chains: dairy, poultry, coffee, tea, fruit trees, and African leafy vegetables.
The project will provide over 143,000 farmers (men and women) with training and support to adopt climate-smart technologies and practices, strengthening their resilience to climate change and increasing their household incomes.
“By leveraging Agriterra’s extensive experience with cooperatives and working with the private sector including banks, the project will also improve access to markets and finance, promote sustainable land management practices across 30,000 hectares, and create up to 3,000 jobs,” the report says.
“This holistic approach aims to trigger a paradigm shift towards climate-resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable agriculture in the region.”
