In Summary
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County eyes economic growth.
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FAO funds drive to improve food production, scale down poverty.
By SAMUEL KAZUNGU
More than 10,000 farmers in Kilifi will learn new food production techniques in a project funded by the FAO at a cost of Sh100 million.
The second phase of the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s programme, which starts next month, aims to ease hunger and poverty.
The FAO has donated 9.5 million Euros to fund the drive in eight counties.
The first phase began in eastern Kenya, which has also experience food shortage as a result of drought.
Farmers will be taught new techniques and means of accessing interest-free agricultural loans. They will also be given new ideas to market their produce.
Kilifi executive officer in charge of Agriculture Mwalimu Menza, who met FAO representatives at the governor’s office, said the county has high agriculture potential.
However, he said farmers lacked proper equipment to produce better yields.
“With the launch of the conservation agriculture project, we are optimistic that farming would be transformed. We believe that after four years, we shall see a lot of changes,” he said.
Mr Menza said following the tourism slump, the county is turning to agriculture for economic growth.
He said farmers would receive the money in groups. Mr Menza said they would be trained by agricultural officers.
FAO officer Wilson Rono said the first phase of the project in Makueni, Tharaka-Nithi, Machakos and Kitui was a success. He said Laikipia, Meru and Kwale are also in the second phase.
“FAO would come up with marketing strategies for the farmers,” said Mr Rono.