Governor Natembeya Ignites Livestock Revolution
Governor George Natembeya has appealed to stakeholders in the livestock sub-sector to join forces and revolutionize the small stock industry in order to foster wealth creation and ensure food security.
The governor made this call during a gathering organized by the National Government and KeLCoP Financing Partners at the westside hotel in Kitale. The event aimed to initiate a path towards improving the livelihoods of the residents of Trans Nzoia County.
During his speech, Governor Natembeya acknowledged the presence of significant individuals, including representatives from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Heifer International, Participating Financial Institutions (PFI), potential investors, and project beneficiaries.
He stressed the importance of collaboration and the enhancement of livestock product production within the county.
The gathering served as a platform to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, challenges, and threats in the prioritized value chains.
This strategic focus aligns with Governor Natembeya’s vision of transforming the county into an agro-industrialized region that provides a high quality of life for its inhabitants.
The KeLCoP project, which aims to contribute to the government’s agricultural transformation agenda, focuses on increasing the incomes of rural small-scale farmers and ensuring food and nutrition security.
Governor Natembeya outlined his 10-point development agenda for Trans Nzoia County, with a particular emphasis on improving the agriculture and livestock sector, promoting trade, industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as empowering youth and vulnerable groups.
To support these agendas, the governor’s administration has actively engaged in various projects and programs targeting marginalized groups and farmers. Initiatives such as KeLCoP, NAWIRI Fund, ASDSP, and NARIGP/NAVCDP have been implemented to uplift small-scale farmers and enhance food security.
The Governor expressed his commitment to facilitating relevant infrastructure development, commercialization pathways, market systems, and a favorable legal framework for the sector.
The governor called upon all stakeholders, including producers, input suppliers, technical service providers, market off-takers, competent authorities, and development enablers, to invest their resources in these promising value chains.
He emphasized that commercializing these value chains would lead to improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers, increased food security, employment opportunities, and environmental benefits through conservation and climate-smart agricultural practices.
The county chief further called for a collective action, synergy, and a sense of urgency in addressing the needs of the people and farmers in Trans Nzoia County.
He expressed his belief that embarking on this transformative journey could make the county a shining example of success.