COUNTY PRIORITIZES CROPS FOR INVESTMENT PROMOTION THROUGH PARTNER SUPPORT

County Government of Kakamega Officers drawn from the Kakamega County Investment and Development Agency (KCIDA) and the Department of Agriculture Wednesday participated in the final stages of selection of three crops that should be prioritised by the Development Agency for Agricultural Investment Promotion paving way for a complimentary analysis of Agricultural Investment opportunities across the value chains of the 3 crops by KCIDA.

During a consultative meeting organized and supported by the National Government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at Golf Hotel Kakamega, Avocado, Sunflower and Upland Rice were chosen following a rigorous process and criteria for selection that began in the last quarter.

Ms. Meri Fukai, a JICA advisor attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development led the discussions between the County Officers, JICA representatives, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) officials and crop production experts from the National Government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Speaking at the one day workshop, Ms. Elizabeth Asichi the CEO KCIDA said investment in Agricultural production and adopting measures to invest in the entire value chain is the effective strategy for achieving Governor Fernandes Barasa’s pillar on Food Security through poverty reduction and all-round economic empowerment of citizens.

“Wealth creation and food security which are among the six-point Agenda outlined in the Governor’s manifesto can only be achieved by concerted efforts from the County Government, state & non-state actors and development partners especially in promoting agro-industrialization and job creation,” said the CEO.

Mr. Simon Muchigiri, who led the Ministry’s delegation assured the County of the support from the Ministry in terms of ensuring that the devolved unit is informed of the strategies and policies already developed by the National Government in support of the development of three crops.

The CEO said the County has put in place elaborate structures for seamless inter-agency collaborations and implored the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to consider a partnership with the County Government of Kakamega on edible oil production.

The collaboration is on a pilot project in Kakamega County for Agriculture Investment Promotion aimed at identifying and promoting three priority crops for investments in the Northen Corridor and it is implemented through capacity of KCIDA in investment promotion along the identified value chains including linkages to both local and international markets.