News Categories: Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development

Aggregation of smallholder farmers through farmers’ organisations is key in creating an enabling environment for farmers to thrive. For a very long time, small scale farmers have struggled to access good markets for their produce due to their dispersed and unorganised nature.

Harvested  Hass Avocados from members of Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society.

In light of this, the department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development in liaison with NARIG project continue to support and strengthen Farmers’ organizations with a view of addressing market challenges.

CECM Agriculture and Co-operative Development, Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat checks the vitality of the avocado fruits

One of the beneficiary organizations in this arrangement is the Nandi Avocado Farmers’ Cooperative Society who have benefited from our inclusion and capacity building grants among other government supports.

As a result of these concerted efforts, the department is thrilled to announce that recent negotiations and deal made between Nandi Avocado Farmers’ Cooperative Society, the County Government of Nandi and exporter Sunripe Limited has started to yield fruit.

Exporter endorsed to market Avocado produce of Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society.

On Tuesday, the CECM for Agriculture Dr Kiplimo Araap Lagat witnessed the first batch harvesting and aggregation of hass avocados for export by members of the Society that kicked off at Mr. Sigot’s farm in Koyo-Ndurio ward, Aldai Sub County.

CECM Agriculture and Co-operative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat witnesses and joins in the harvesting and aggregation  of avocado for export.

Under the deal, the cooperative is set to enjoy a standard price of not less than KES 80 per kg of Hass variety and not less than KES 55 per KG of the Fuerte. Currently, the society is enjoying a maximum price of Sh 92 per Kg of Hass variety.

Avocado Sizing Grader.

#TugaTai #TransformingNandi

In reality of the substantial capacity the rural sector informs on economy development, the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development under the directorate of Co-operative Development is keen to capacity build interested goal sharing groups in rural settings, on the role of capital accumulation through cooperatives.

Given that cooperatives provides a unique ownership structure whose base is on equity of each member. This assures of transparency; a crucial component when the model of business is that of pulling resources together to inform on a common goal.

The primary mandate of the capacity building initiative is to facilitate good co-operative governance through reinforcing effective technical and organizational practices that influences effective and binding decision making, which allows for maximum realization of the individual purpose of a co-operative society.

On this account and in heed to an interest by a group of residents from Mosobecho, a locality in Emgwen, a pre-co-operative consultative meeting with Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya, was held on Monday on a proposed cooperative society named Mugulel Nel Co-operative Society.

Members of the Proposed Mugulel Nel Co-operative Society in Consultation with Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya.

To economically empower men from the area, in benchmark of the economic strides of women groups in the sector, the only men group hopes to secure their families income foothold through pulling resources together in form of savings and also as their capital requirements increase, create a credit system in dependence to their measure of investment.

The Sub County Co-operative officer, madam Bismeth shared knowledge about factors and approaches the group has to stand on in operations as a cooperative in areas: objectives, principles, rights, obligations, management, ownership, and finances among other provisions.

She assured of the County Government of Nandi support as the group start on their resourceful objective and urged them to be committed as they work towards sustainable development of the community at large.

Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya addressing the meeting.

The County Government of Nandi, directorate of co-operative development through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development are in process of drafting a bill tailored to policies and approaches that are designed to meet the need adaptation which will inform the specific functional elements of co-operative societies in Nandi.

The directorate has noted the necessity of setting its obligation to align the co-operative act in relation to the local objectives that are sustainable to its cooperators development agendas, dire to their wants and efficient models of doing business.

The consultation saw incorporation of expert involvement from the sub sectors informing on cooperatives in Nandi namely agriculture, industrialization, trade, legal and enterprise development; In assurance that all areas of necessity are included, extensively reviewed and refined to the efficiancy of the policy formulation.

Consultative Meeting in Progress.

A comparative approach was used in the deliberations, built upon resource materials with major reference to the national co-operative development policy and other informing tailor made co-operative acts.

The policies agreed on for adaptation and amends extensified on the current capacity acess on areas in need of clear interpretation of the co-operative functions in a devolved setting.

Chief Officer Co-operative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony stated that the prime objective focus is to establish and maintain a standard of efficient measure and transparency in regulation and management of cooperative societies in Nandi.

“This is one of the emphasis areas in which co-operatives in Nandi as business models of economic development should adopt for sustainability in the ever changing enterprise environment.”

She was optimistic of the pro activeness shown during the process in its initiation and assured of the County Government commitment to uphold it to completion.

Upon completion the final draft will be subjected to the key stakeholders for harmonization and validation before being tabled to the necessary referrals.

Chief Officer Cooperative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony.

On Thursday, a delegation of coffee farmers from Tinderet Sub County paid a courtesy call to Co-operative Development office, department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development.

Meeting In Progress

In optimism of the visible efforts of the County Government of Nandi in matters Agriculture, and in its role as a chief regulator in matters economic sustanance, the team expressed interest in working with the Government in securing favourable and standard measures of operations in their venture as coffee farmers.

Of emphasis as their main expression of interest was highlights on a comprehensive set of recommendations from their capacities in a small holder production system to improve sustainable development of coffee sector majorly on areas information, input in the production cycle, standardized development, market innates and resources.

The Chief Officer, Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony applauded the pro active move by the team to integrate the County Government consult stating that the approach will be instrumental in effectively tackling the issues presented both as a government mandate and as a means to provide more relevant and effective resource and regulation services to individual farmers involved in the coffee supply chain.

Chief Officer Cooperative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony addressing the meeting. 

For the team to enjoy the ease of informing their own strategies under the shelter of the government, She urged the team to form an association as an initiate on their operation development, mergers/partnerships with multi-stakeholders, risk management, legal protection, investor rights and protection, and other underlying components.

She informed on the steps the County Government of Nandi has taken to sustain development, productivity and profitability of coffee sector in Nandi. Key among them is policy review on protection rights of farmers in co-operative business. Also was the success in identifying a location to construct a miller in steps to have it improve grading of coffee from the region through quality control among other production and economic benefits that comes when farmers own fully the business.

On Friday, The department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development hosted the deputy governor Dr Yuliya cheruiyot on an employee engagement with its enablers, the staff.

The department understands that employees major investment is the key determinant of the success of the agricultural sector, a sector dear both socially and economically to the residents of Nandi.

It is in this light that the conversation was centred around: Staff appreciation for playing their important part in meeting the department’s mission, potential output when various structures are supported, employee experience in its objective measure and ways to strengthen and improve employee engagement.

Speaking during the meeting, the deputy governor,. Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot affirmed on the administration commitment to support the transformation team in their continuous willingness to support the government agenda. She recognized Agriculture tremendous progress witnessed consistently over the periods despite challenges.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot addressing the staff.

She urged the staff to be on the forefront to own the projects they are responsing over and speak with confidence on their achievements more so individually on a whole.

She led the team through discussing proposals for consideration and further made known the plans the government has over its employees.

CECM Agriculture and Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Arap Lagat on his part stressed on the need to have focus on structures that inform on service delivery as a development function.

CECM Agriculture and Co-operative Development, Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat.

He stated that achievement can only be effectively measured on the basis of how well resources are facilitated and seeved to reach to the end goal, which is the improvement of farmer’s livelihood with its complement of hardware support.

Staff present represented the five directorates namely Agriculture, livestock Production, Veteniary Services, Co-operative Development and Fisheries.

Nandi Potato Co-operative Society management committee were convened to a status review and managerial governance meeting to exclusively examine and measure their administration bases and priorities which are critical informants of decision making, an ultimate of the efficiency of the success achieved by the society.

Meeting In progress.

The aim of the forum which was organized by the County Government under the Department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development, was to well verse the managerial team with clear insights, to guide the team in making available a stabilized, adequate and comprehensive accord to the structures the society uses to run its operations.

Chairman, Nandi Potato Co-operative Society.

Key elements discussed was on compliance management, objective assessments in decision making, identifying options and better alternatives upon challenging encounters, prioritization of technical support at production level, effective marketing objectives that will ensure growth and profitability ,in addition to economically empowering its members in diversifying the commercialization of their produce .

The County Government of Nandi under the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) confides in commercializing potato farming in Nandi through this cooperative, a union of potato farmers, whose membership aim is to benefit from their collective bargain to establish infrastructures sufficient enough to increase productivity and profitability of their produce.

From left, Chief Officer Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony, CECM Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat, Chief Officer Agriculture, Mr. Wilson Lelei.

Farmers are encouraged to join the society and enjoy the County Government support in its provision of a favorable regulatory environment when it comes to resource and governance facilitation, provision of high quality certified seedlings, access to experienced technical support through extension services, cushion risk as an investor in large scale production and other investment opportunities in potato production, storage and marketing of produce.
So far as a marketing society, the co-operative has recorded achievements in supporting member potato farmers in areas mentioned above.

The CECM Agriculture and Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat and the chief officers Agriculture and Co-operative Development Mr. Wilson Lelei and Dr. Benadatte Tiony respectively emphasized on the vital significance of working in compliance to the frameworks in stipulation and broadening the capacity and potential present to upscale and sustain growth and profitability of the potato value chain in Nandi.

Also present were staff in their respective roles in the value chain operations.

The County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development continues in its initiative to implement support and structures that backs economic improvement of Saccos serving communities in the rural setting.

Kamatargui Rural Sacco started as a small savings group which later became a savings society now with an active membership of 132. It has been a concrete channel of fighting against financial inadequacies through developing the financial resources of the joined members who largely hail from Kamatargui.

Chairman, Kamatargui Rural Sacco.

On Thursday the directorate of Co-operative Development represented by Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya and Accountant Agik Otieno graced their Annual General Meeting to render technical support in areas capacity building, management of leadership structure and monitoring some of their development programs.

Speaking during the meeting, Madam Bismeth emphasized on updating of account books according to the society by-laws. She also urged the team to cooperate in saving and loan repayment to strengthen the growth of the society which inform on development and improvement of many areas of their livelihood and generations to come.

Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya addressing the meeting.

Mr. Agik Otieno, Accountant Co-operative Development.

The County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development, on Tuesday witnessed a signing of an agreement between Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society and Sunripe Company Limited.

Sunripe Company Limited has been tasked as a liaison between the farmer and avocado buyers both in region and internationally as a marketer of their produce. The company offered a good deal of selling the produce at a standardized profitable rate of not less than kenyan shilling 55 for fuerte variety and not less than 80 per kilo for Hass variety.

Marketing representative from Sunripe Company Limited.

This is in line with the County Government agenda to have diversification of agriculture that informs on emerging sectors while standing on the time- tasted result producing co-operative approach and principles.

The step taken is a good measure of the consequent efforts by the County Government through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development to incorporate its farmers to embrace Avocado farming, as one of the most current demanded crops both in local and international markets.

To deliver on its mandate, the County Government saw it best to secure stability and accountability of its commitment towards Avocado farming as a profit booster, through organizing farmers into a cooperative. As a new venture with perceived high returns, the proposition to have Nandi Avocado Cooperative Society was of the means to have a channel for farmers in Avocado to voice their bids in unison as stakeholders of the market , have a bargaining power and grow economically as Nandi block to inform on their command in the market.

Nandi Avocado Cooperative Society was formed in the year 2019 and it now boasts of 593 members.

Chairman Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society.

It is in the mission of the department to offer input and support till the society is proactive and strong enough to stand alone and inform solely on and mostly through actionable evidence of the income streams, in areas funding, marketing and mobilization.

Speaking during the event, Chief Officer Cooperative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony mentioned the partnering with the marketer and exporter as an echo of the assured success of practicing the venture by the collaborative efforts of farmers in the same field with a shared objective.

She urged that through the support offered by the County Government in areas capacity building, management and fund support through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth ( NARIGP) project, it is onto the society to commit itself to increase its membership and have more farmers in Nandi enjoy the benefits that come with it.

Chief Officer Cooperative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony addressing the meeting.

In process is actualization of the steps to construct an Avocado pack house equipped with a warehouse, cooling systems, accompanying equipments in inclusion of a sorting and grading machine. With the good will of Avocado farmers, the pack house is to be established at Lolduga, Lessos ward.

Team adressing Kass Media on the new development.

The County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development on Thursday was on mandate to render technical support to members of Apple Sacco Society Limited on their annual delegate meeting.

Apple Sacco Society Limited delegates

The directorate of co-operative development objectively led in its task to ensure compliance with the provisional co-operative legislations and regulations.

The annual delegate meeting held at Kaimosi Agricultural Training Centre brought together representative members to share insights and ratify decisions made as per the agenda in relation to the development and management of the SACCO.

A delegate participating.

According to the financial statement and report findings for the period ended 31st December 2020, there was 5% increase of revenue while the expenditure was on the higher side at 48%. The increase in expense was resulted to loan provision costs which amounted to a short in the fund reserve of the SACCO.

The deficiency was linked to the difficulty that was the Covid-19 era which saw low uptake of loans and poor repayment of existing loans.

Co-operative Development Accountant, Mr. Agik Otieno.

The chairman asked that the County Government continue to hold support as policy makers and legislative compliants to create frameworks to aid in the big menace a contributor to the inviability of co-operative societies that is loan defaulting. He noted that the route of CRB listing takes time and could be a long term cripple to the SACCO asset base.

Chairman, Mr.John Korir.

Speaking during the meeting the director Co-operative Development Mr. Stalin Koech urged the delegates to be good ambassadors of their SACCO regulations and be proactive in guiding the members to understand the beneficial value of investing and repaying loans to ensure continuous growth of the society.

Director Co-operative Development, Mr. Stalin Koech.

He also informed on the role of the County Government in ensuring compliance of co-operative acts and assured of its continuous support to the development of co-operative societies.

Also present were representatives from Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSSCO) and CIC Insurance who informed on strengthening service delivery to maintain its competitive edge and insuring the society’s asset base respectively.

KUSSCO representative,Mr. Orenda.

On Thursday, Nandi Dairy Co-operative Union officials convened to a consultative joint meeting with the directorate of co-operative development.The agenda was to equip the union officials with co-operative compliance acts, governance structures and legislation framework which guides the management and operations of the union.

Nandi Dairy Co-operative Union is a body representing affiliate dairy societies and it was formed to promote and develop co-operation among the dairy societies in their area of operation and to further assist in driving the agendas of the dairy sector in Nandi through the co-operative principles.

While officially opening the consultation, the chief officer co-operative development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony affirmed on the importance of the governing body to have a well comprehensible grasp of knowledge base compliant management skill set to inform on matters that influence the interwebs of managing the operations that impacts the shared interests of dairy farmers.

“For successful attainment of the union mandate, compliance to co-operative act, the co-operative rules and by-laws cannot be understated.” She said.

Chief Officer Cooperative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony addressing the meeting.

She emphasized that the above mentioned set of procedures protects the objective of the union and was structured to support an integrate, transparent, easy and efficient way of doing business in a co-operative set of operations.

She further mentioned that in gear of full operations upon launch of the farmer owned milk processing plant in Kabiyet, the union need to be set to run the enterprise efficiently to ensure sustainable and profitable production.

Dr. Benadatte further affirmed the County Government commitment to ensure the union is well furnished with all the necessities required till it runs independently with all factors of governance in check.

“The department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development shall stick to its task as a regulator in its mandate of governship to inform and guide the union in areas of management, governance, leadership, financial requisites and compliance measures in informing the interests of the dairy cooperators in Nandi and to further the dairy sector into a full blown profitable venture.”

She urged the team to take the project at heart as a service to the society and the generations to come.

“As County Government, we appreciate the efforts and commitment of everyone’s insights and contributions in making the vision of Nandi, that has been upheld for long to fruition as it now boasts of having its first farmer owned dairy processing facility, a complement to the vibrancy of the dairy sector in Nandi which was championed by the coming together of farmer shared interests channeled and powered through farmer co-operative societies.”

The consultative meeting was a start of many conversations that sets the stage for the Nandi dairy co-operative sector to analyze and review policies, structures and set position and priorities that influence the dairy sector in Nandi in a democratic process. This ensures that the collaborative approach co-operative societies is built on is relevant, effective and in line with the collective interests and concerns of dairy farmers in Nandi; the very foundation of the union credibility and profitable influence in the economies of dairy business in Nandi.

Nandi Dairy Co-operative Union officials following through the meeting.

During the session, attendees heard from director co-operative development, Mr. Stalin Koech on the importance of an accountable management as a measure of the efficiency of doing business.

“I urge you as an official to understand that you take on the representation of interests of a small scale dairy farmer who has put all his trust onto the union to advocate for the economic interests and reward to the efforts incured into the venture. Do not let the farmer down.”

He further in depth explained the purpose and way of doing business in areas: Strategic plan, business plan, delegation, human resource policy, supervisory reports, economic reports and sub committee functions among other areas of operations.

Director Co-operative Development, Mr.Stalin Koech.

Director livestock and animal health, Dr. Samson Rono echoed the sentiments of the progress the dairy sector in Nandi is taking towards commercialization. He reteriated that for business to be of value, capacity building is necessary as an informant of efficiency of doing business.

Director Livestock Production, Dr. Samson Rono.

Co-operative Officers present represented by Mr. Paul Born educated the union officials on the key base of management and the governing structures and policies in its subsequents namely bylaws, co-operative societies act, public procurement and disposal act, employment act,companies act, co-operative rules and tribunals among other areas of interest.

Senior Co-operative Officer, Mr. Paul Boen.

From the county legal office, Mr. Hawi shared insights and clarified on matters concerning the memorandum of understanding among financial partners involved in the union projects.

Legal Officer, Mr. Hawi.

Also present were the dairy value chain officers who are the fore front go to personnel and liaisons of the county government and the union to inform on concerns,processes and procedures concerning their operations.

Dairy value chain officer, Ms Mercyline Jemutai.

The chairman of the union, Dr. Abraham Rugut appreciated the support of the County Government and assured that the team will be of service to the interests of its representation. He urged the participants to be good ambassadors of the objectives of the union while he assured that his team will work on strengthening its compliance mandate for the good of all the dairy co-operative societies affiliated with the union.

Chairman NDCU, Dr. Abraham Rugut.