News Categories: Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development

On Thursday, Nandi County hosted the Small-holder Dairy Commercialization Programme (SDCP) National Steering Committee led by the Principal Secretary State Department of Livestock Mr. Harry Kimutai.

PS State department of Livestock Harry Kimutai addressing government officials and small holder farmers at Mogoon, Nandi Hills

The NSC was in the county to assess on the status of various projects that is being jointly implemented by the National and County Governments.

During the visit, the two tiers of government had an opportunity to put their heads together and deliberate on the perpetuity of the programme once SDCP exit the stage and hand over to the County Government.

SDCP, National Steering Committee paying a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor.

The committee was welcomed by the Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei alongside Deputy County Commissioner, the CECM Agriculture, Chief Officers, Directors (Livestock, Veterinary & Cooperatives) and the program coordinator.

The visit was meant to assess the implementation status of the SDCP with the team visiting Lessos Farmers’ Cooperative Society who have benefited from the programme support of two milk bulk coolers worth Ksh 1,000,000 for ICT.

Lessos Farmer’s Cooperative Society, Mogoon site.

The team also visited dairy youth farmers Mr. & Mrs. Ng’etich and Mr. & Mrs. Kiprono at their farms in Nandi Hills. The group then highlighted the achievements they have received through the grant support by the programme to purchase a feed hammer mill worth Ksh. 240,000. While there, the PS handed over livestock registration certificates from Kenya Livestock Breeders Organization (KLBO) to five members of the group and thanked them for embracing the concept of value addition in dairy cows.

Dairy Youth Group in Nandi Hills

Through its department of Agriculture, the County Government of Nandi is very keen on growing the dairy sector and has greatly invested in the dairy value chain.

To show the County Government’s commitment, the department is establishing Nandi Cooperative Creameries (NCC) in Kabiyet, intensifying AI Subsidy Programme across the county as well as setting up 30 milk cooler structures among many other interventions that are geared towards commercializing and transforming the dairy sector.

Feed hammer mill worth Ksh. 240,000 by the County Government through the SDCP Programme.

Nandi County is among nine other counties that include Bomet, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kisii, Nyamira, Uasin Gishu and Nakuru Counties which are implementing the program. During his visit, the Principal Secretary announced that Nandi will get an additional of Ksh24,000,000 in the F/Y 2018/19 through the program.

#TransformingNandi

The County Government of Nandi in collaboration with Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme (KCEP) on Wednesday and Thursday held field days in Chepkumia and Kabiyet wards in Chesumei and Mosop Sub counties respectively under the theme ‘Use of appropriate technology for Food Security and Income Generation’.

The agricultural expo brought together hundreds of farmers from the two wards who showcased their best agricultural practices leading to a Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security to other farmers. Farmers had an opportunity to interact, learn and gain knowledge about modern farming technologies from the experienced and finest farmers.

Kenya seed displayed their value added cereals such as maize baked cake,Crisps made of beans, beans baked cake among others.

Our very own Kaiboi Technical Institute displayed a unique Banana ripening box made to ripe bananas within three days without any additive. They also displayed a vegetable drier used in preserving vegetables during the season of bumper harvest as well as dry season, hence appropriate technology for food security

The objectives of KCEP are in line with that of the County Government to contribute to National Food Security by increasing production of cereal staples, increase income of smallholders in medium and high potential and to support smallholder’s farmers in graduating from subsistence to commercial Agriculture.

While officiating the two events, CO Agriculture Wilson Lelei urged more farmers to enroll into the program and stick to it as it will help them advance agriculture wise. He further urged farmers who have subscribed to the program to attend subsequent trainings as it help them learn new ideas.

In Nandi County the programme is implemented in two Sub counties, Chesumei and Mosop. In Chesumei the programme is in 5 wards while in Mosop it is in 7wards.In 2016,the county target for category 1 farmers was 1000 and 960 was achieved, In 2017, the county target for inputs support for first year farmers was 3000 and achieved was 2276, the target in 2018 was 873 and 746 was enrolled, In 2019, 1062 farmers have been enrolled and the 40% contribution is ongoing.

The programme is based on Public-Private Partnership between Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) which is tasked with dissemination of research based technical packages, Agriculture Market Development Trust (AGMARK) for building the capacities of agro dealers, Equity bank is designed to facilitate smallholders access to Agricultural input through an e-voucher system, East African Grain Council (EAGC) which is tasked with post-harvest management and market linkages.

Education and training is one of the principles of Cooperatives.Cooperative Societies need continuous provision of education and training to board members and management as a means of building capacity needed and aspirations.

The Training is aimed at developing and enlightening a responsible leadership capable of directing and effectively controlling cooperatives for the benefit of members and for continued prosperity of the cooperative development.This is achieved through imparting relevant management knowledge,business and entrepreneurial skills needed by Board members to enhance effective and efficient services rendered.

The department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development conducted Education and training to Nandi Teachers Investment Cooperative society onCooperative governance and roles, Cooperative policy,Human Resource,Books of accounts and finance.

While speaking during the training the Director for Cooperative Development Stalin Koech urged the members to conduct their activities as required by the cooperative laws. He also reiterated on the importance of the society having a strategic plan as this will help them in achieving their Vision.

The County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development on Tuesday met with stakeholders from Cooperative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) to elect delegates who will represent the county at the body.

The roles of delegates is to represent, fulfill and further the interests of its members with emphasis on lobbying, advocacy, networking and collaboration at the local, regional and national level as well as offer leadership that develops and natures cooperatives to become viable social economic enterprises.

County Director of Cooperatives Starlin Koech

Presiding over the election of five delegates, the director for Cooperative Development Starlin Koech applauded the exercise as the delegates were drawn from the six sub counties.

The Cooperative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) is the national apex organization for Kenya’s cooperative movement. Its membership is drawn from over 14, 000 registered cooperatives that includes the National Cooperative Organizations (NACOs), cooperative unions and primary cooperative societies.

The mandate of CAK is to lobby and advocate for a favorable and enabling policy and legal environment for cooperatives with an aim of creating harmony in the cooperative movement. CAK endeavors to promote  development, unite and represent the cooperative interests on all matters of policy and legal framework of  the cooperative movement in Kenya.

Nandi County Assembly Committee on Agriculture on Monday underwent sensitization workshop on Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) II implementation strategy and the strides the programme made in the first phase.

ASDSP programme in its first phase mobilized and facilitated the formation of Nandi County Dairy Cooperative Union (NCDCU) through trainings and capacity building of primary cooperative societies that inspired their amalgamation.

Through this, dairy farmers in Nandi now enjoy a bigger bargaining power for their produce.

In its second phase, the program aims at developing capacity of farmer’s cooperatives and funding innovations along the identified four value chains namely Cow Milk, Maize, Fish and Indigenous Chicken to support youth and women in the Value Chain Development (VCD).

The programme also target to strengthen structures and governance of two hundred and forty (240) groups in Nandi County through Capacity Building in areas of Productivity, Entrepreneurial Skills & Marketing.

The ultimate goal of the programme is to contribute to the transformation of crop, livestock and fishery production into commercially oriented enterprises that ensure sustainable food and nutrition security and incomes of the value chain actors. #TransformingNandi

In a bid to empower small holder farmers engaged in French Beans farming, the County Government of Nandi has sponsored Asurur Farmers Group for an education tour of Kirinyaga County through the department of Agriculture & Co-operative Development with an aim of imparting knowledge and understanding to farmers on how best to improve yields and increase their returns.

The youthful farmers from Kilibwoni Ward are currently on a three day bench-marking trip where they visited two French Bean farms and InstaVeg Agroprocesing Company in Kutus.

Asurur Farmers Group in a session.

French Beans farming being one of the identified value chains in Nandi, farmers were taken through the entire value chain from production (planting) where they were taken through agronomic practices, harvesting, weighing, transportation, reception at the unit, grading packaging and finally disposal to the market either local or international. Farmers now have an understanding why a number of set production practices has to be followed.

Empowering smallholder farmers produce French Beans and other horticulture products would spur the farmers’ development and the county at large.

Through its department of Agriculture & Co-operative Development, the County Government of Nandi is working to empower farmers in the county who will spearhead the identification of community development priorities and drive the projects jointly coordinated with development partners so as address challenges facing the vulnerable & marginalized community members.

Today, the CECM in charge of Agriculture  & Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat and CO Agriculture Mr. Wilson Lelei presided over the official closing session of a two day workshop for ward committees established through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP). The participants were Community Driven Development Committees (CDDCs) comprising of  15 members each from Tinderet, Chemase, Songhor/Soba wards and Social Accountability and Integrity Committee (SAIC) drawn from the same wards.

The committees will be the link between the community and the County Government to ensure seamless and effective implementation of community Micro projects.

While addressing the participants, Dr. Lagat called on the leaders to expedite the formation of common interest groups (CIGs) for Dairy, Indigenous chicken, Avocado and Irish potato who will be required to apply for the community grants under the project.

He further urged them to work closely with various stakeholders including Sub County administrators, MCAs, ward administrators and chiefs. In his closing remarks, he challenged them to be the change agents and role models by taking their leadership role seriously saying that leadership is about making sacrifices.

On his part, CO Agriculture Mr Lelei reiterated the government’s commitment to transform lives of the vulnerable and marginalized groups though agricultural practices. He said that the department has already set funds to support Youth, Women and PWDs groups with young pullets for raising within the County.

#TransformingNandi

The construction of the proposed Nandi Cooperative Creameries (NCC), the first farmer-owned milk processing plant in Nandi has commenced in Kabiyet.

In preparation for the Milk Processing Plant, the County Government of Nandi is supporting new and reviving dormant as well as strengthening emerging & existing dairy farmer’s cooperatives across the county; through capacity building, provision of subsidized AI services, rehabilitation of cattle dips and bringing milk coolers closer to farmers.

CECM Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat inspecting the Nandi Cooperative Creameries

“It is imperative to note that the dairy sector plays a big role in our county and with better returns, farmers will be able to improve their livelihoods. We therefore need strong societies that enable dairy farmers increase their bargaining power and prolly get good returns for their commodity.” said CEC Agriculture and Cooperative Development Hon Benard Lagat talking during one of the sensitization meeting with the farmers.

Once complete, the processing plant will ensure farmers have a ready market for their produce and help them improve their livelihoods as well as the county’s economy.

The Nandi farmers will have an opportunity to add value to their milk and sell processed milk to the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) counties where the market is huge.

The plant when complete will have a capacity to process 1000 litres of milk per day.

The Sugar Industry High Level Consultative Meeting was today held at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu to deliberate on matters affecting sugar industry. Participants at the meeting included H.E Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, H.E Stephen Sang Governor Nandi, H.E Wycliffe Oparanya, H.E Okoth Obado, Governor Migori, Ps. Prof. Hamadi Boga, Nandi County Assembly Speaker Joshua Kiptoo, Agriculture CEC Dr. Kiplimo Lagat, Chemelil Chemase Ward MCA Hon. Hillary Serem, Senators, Members of Parliament, MCA’s, Privatization Commission and other leaders from the sugarcane growing areas. The following were resolved;

1. THAT in view of the urgent need to revitalize the public mills and the industry at large, the Privatization Commission identifies strategic partners in the next 120 days ;

2. THAT County Government represent the interests of farmers in matters of Privatization;

3. THAT a special Committee be set up by the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Fisheries and Irrigation to come up with a revival strategy for the revitalization of Mumias Sugar Company.

4. THAT the Sugar Industry Taskforce to complete it’s work within the next 14 days.

5. THAT the remaining 808 million owed to farmers be captured in the supplementary budget.

6. THAT the Ministry of Agriculture , Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation to provide leadership in bringing together the relevant government departments and agencies to address the financial requirements of the Public Sugar Companies , particularly debt write off.

7. THAT the Sugar Act be reinstated to provide for independent sugar regulatory body and sugar resource body ;

8. That the Sugar Regulations be gazetted to provide a conducive business environment for the sugar sector.

Th Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) is a 5 year programme that runs from 2017 to 2022, funded by the Swedish government through SIDA. Whose goal is to contribute to Transformation of crop, livestock and fishery production into commercially oriented enterprises that ensure sustainable food and nutrition security.

In order to implement ASDSP II which is the continuation of ASDSP I The County Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development in conjunction with Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) conducted a four day workshop whose aim was to collect data from the Value Chain Actors drawn from the four prioritized value chains; Cow milk, maize, fish and indegineous chickens that will be used in developing Strategic and integrated value chain action plan (SIVCAP).

While Officially opening the workshop, Chief Officer for Agriculture Wilson Lelei said that Strategic and Integrated Value Chain Action plan (SIVCAP) is the blue print in ASDSP II implementation with a view to ending poverty, hunger and ensure food and nutrition security through identification of opportunities and implementation of high impact innovation.

It illustrates the critical problems that hinder commercialization of agriculture (as informed by the Four priority value chains) in pursuit of economic development and food and nutrition security. SIVCAP is also meant to capture all the activities that the department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development intends to do in the next five years.

ASDSP II is designed to adhere to principles of inclusivity, simplicity and flexibility which are necessary for sustainability of prioritize value chains. It is aligned with the Constitution, Agricultural Policy, the new Swedish Strategy for Development Cooperation and other regional and global goals. It is also expected to consolidate the gains of ASDSP I an example is setting up of Nandi County Dairy Cooperative Union and 240 value chains, address the challenges of income, food and nutrition security ,unemployment and commercialization of prioritized value chains.

There are four key results that the ASDSP wants to achieve at the end namely;increased productivity of priority value chain,strengthened enterpreneural Skills of priority VCAs, Improved access to market by value chains actors and strengthened structures and capacities for consultation, collaboration,cooperation and coordination in the agricultural sector.

From the data collected at the workshop it showed that there is an estimate 1,110,830 indegineous chickens with 14,996,205 egg production and an average production per unit value chain actor of 7. For fish it showed that there is an average fish population of 1,550,000, number of fish ponds per value chain actor is 1 pond and fish area under prioritized value chain actors is (46.5ha)

When it comes to livelihood assessment Nandi county is below the poverty line in all the four value chains, in the few calculations done fish farming outshined the other value chains, hence their is need to work on improving productivity.

There is also need to enhance market access by value chain actors by improving access linkages for prioritized value chain actors,improving access to market information by value chain actors.