Under the Scale Irrigation and Value Addition Programme, the government has released a shipment of seeds, seedlings, and other relevant inputs worth Sh12.75 million to be handed to small scale farmers (SIVAP).
This was a follow-up to the procurement and distribution of seeds and seedlings worth Sh7.8 million to SIVAP counties during the March-May 2020 rains.
SIVAP is supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), and the Kenyan government.
The goal is to be able to demonstrate clean seed production for high-value pulses, cereals, and fruit trees, as well as clean seed production for fodder and pasture.
Clean planting supplies will be provided as part of the project for the implementation of fruit tree orchard demonstrations in existing irrigation schemes, as well as the reinforcement of nutrition units for communities at the county level through home kitchen gardens. Beneficiaries would also be educated on healthy eating habits.
Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS), Prof. Hamadi Boga, said the programme had reached 106,900 families so far during the flagging off ceremony of 51,940 different fruit saplings that will be distributed to 11 counties at Kilimo House in Nairobi.
“As a Covid- 19 response initiative, the Ministry, through the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU), has intended to set up demonstration plots for crops, animal fodder production, and kitchen gardens to fulfil the demand for food and nutrition security as well as income generation,” Boga stated.
Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos, Bomet, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Nyeri, Tana River, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Kitui are among the counties that would gain.
“Through the support of the projects, the counties were able to put up 220 demonstration plots for both crops and cattle feed, and the Ministry also began ‘The One Million Kitchen Garden Initiative’ in Makueni County on June 26, 2020,” according to the PS.
In September of last year, the Ministry constructed a demonstration and learning facility at Ministry Headquarters with 15 kitchen garden technologies as part of the project.
“The Ministry has reserved Sh500 million to support the one million kitchen garden effort by providing solar dryers, shade netting, and diverse vegetable seeds to 213,090 households across 21 counties,” Boga said.
Twelve irrigation schemes, 38 water pans, 17 bore holes, eight shallow wells and sand dams, five grading shades, four animal sale yards, and the renovation of 65 kilometres of rural roads are among the ongoing SIVAP projects, according to the PS.
