Kenya gets Sh13.2bn grant to address food shortage

Kenya has received a Sh13.2 billion grant from development partners to address the food deficit in the country.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe has said Kenya is still importing cereals to meet its food requirements.

According to the PS, the grant is financed under a strategic partnership of European Union (EU), International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and seeks to contribute to the reduction of rural poverty and food insecurity through increased productivity of target smallholder farmers.

The programme is divided into three regions and the first region include five counties in Western Kenya of Kakamega, Nandi, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, and Nakuru.

In eastern region the counties are Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Makueni and Machakos while in the Coast region three counties of Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta.
Dr Lesiyampe said the government was updating small holder farmers with the appropriate agriculture technologies and innovations.
“Smallholder farmers produce over 60 per cent of our food crops and that is why the government is fully committed to make sure the Kenya Cereals Enhancement Programme and Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods Window is successful,” said the PS.

TOP PRIORITIES
The PS said the programme is in line with the government’s top priorities of improving food security and commercialising agriculture in the wake of climate change while supporting ASAL communities to build resilience.
The programme is geared towards increasing productivity and profitability of staple cereals mainly maize, sorghum, millet, beans, green grams and pigeon peas targets to support 185,000 smallholder farmers.
The PS said the agriculture sector accounts for more than 60 per cent of total national employment, with women providing 75 per cent of the labour force.