JICA TEAM IMPRESSED WITH AGRICULTURE SECTOR PROJECTS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY

A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is in Kakamega County on a fact finding mission of the projects being undertaken and supported by the County Government of Kakamega in Agriculture sector for possible partnership in private investment promotion and support. This comes in the wake of sustained efforts by the County through the Kakamega County Investment and Development Agency (KCIDA) to bring on board investors to operationalize key projects within the County.

The team led by Tsuruta Azusa paid a courtesy call to the CECM for Finance, Planning, ICT and Communication CPA Livingstone Imbayi on Monday morning before visiting the upcoming Kakamega Dairy Plant and Smart Farm both in Malava Sub-County. Chief Officer for Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Ms Jessica Weku flanked by KCIDA CEO Ms Elizabeth Asichi informed the delegation that the County has put in place mechanisms to guide investments. In the dairy sector, the two Executives explained that in addition to providing land, the Government also constructed and equipped Smart farms across the County and tarmacked the road to the upcoming dairy plant to enhance connectivity. The plant, once operational, is expected to engage in value addition by producing other milk products such as cheese and butter among others.

The team also visited Labedcash Farm in Malava that specializes in mass fingerlings production and fish rearing for commercial purposes. The Chief Officer and CEO advanced the idea of finding an investor to construct a fish feeds factory to serve the over 4000 fish farmers in Kakamega County.

Present were CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Mr Godfrey Owori, Chief Officers, KDDC Chairman Mr Francis Murambi, Directors and other Government officers.