Financial boost: Kisii farmers get Sh56m World Bank grant

The National government has given Kisii farmers a Sh56 million grant from World Bank (WB) to enhance agricultural and livestock farming to improve their livelihoods and the county’s economy.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae said WB has funded 143 groups through the National Agricultural Inclusive Growth Project and the county for five years.

Formulate policy

Issuing cheques to the Groups at the Agricultural Training Centre on Tuesday, Ongwae said land sizes in Kisii are shrinking owing to a high population rate, adding that the project will enable farmers to invest in banana, vegetables, dairy and poultry farming value addition to increase production and profits.

“Our land sizes are diminishing due to frequent demarcation. It is necessary for farmers to embrace intensive farming and engage in viable projects to reap maximum benefits,” Ongwae said, adding that the bank is funding 21 counties. 

The governor, accompanied by his deputy Joash Maangi and county Agriculture executive Esman Onsarigo, urged the beneficiaries to invest the funds in viable projects.

Maangi urged residents to shun subdividing land into uneconomic units. He said plans were underway to formulate a policy on land management and urged residents to embrace it once enacted.