The County Government of Baringo through the FSRP County Coordinating Unit has extended support grant amounting to Ksh. 19.7 million to 27 institutions comprising 13 Farmer Producer Organizations and 14 SACCOs that have successfully completed the proposal vetting process and qualified for funding under initial phase.
The funds are to be used to Strengthen bookkeeping systems, invest in ICT equipment, streamline operations, mobilize more members and embrace automation of operations in the benefiting institutions.
Ksh. 11.4 million will go towards supporting 14 Saccos while Ksh.8.3 million will go to farmer producer organizations with the institutions getting between Ksh. 500,000 and Ksh. 1,000,000 depending on the approved proposals and established criteria.
Speaking while presiding over the funds handing over ceremony at KEFRI,Marigat Sub County, Governor Benjamin Cheboi said that agriculture remains one of the most important pillars of Countys economy and a major source of livelihood for many residents thus the need to strengthen the entire value chain from production to aggregation in order to be responsive to the needs of the people.
He added that the responsibility of the County Government is to ensure farmers are supported to take full advantage of these opportunities. Governor Cheboi added that it is of great significance for farmers to work together in order to have more bargaining power over prices of their produce thus the County Governments quest to create an institutional foundation for inclusive agricultural development.
He cautioned the beneficiaries against diverting the funds to other unintended purposes noting that the MOU signed was not mere formalities but a binding commitment that FSRP and County Government will follow up on.
Present at the event were Deputy Governor HE. Felix Maiyo,CEC in charge of Treasury and Economic Planning Hon. Wilson Cheserek and technical officers from County Government and FSRP.