The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has set aside 17million US dollars towards up scaling of programmes under Smallholder Dairy Commercialization Project (SDCP) initiative in Kenya
Speaking during a one day workshop held at Soy Motel in Likuyani Sub County, the SDCP National Coordinator, Mr. Moses Kembe disclosed that following successful implementation of SCDP programmes in nine counties covered in the first phase, IFAD has allocated a further $17million for up scaling the project.
The nine counties included Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Nandi and Bungoma, which again will be the chief beneficiaries of the SDCP’s second phase programmes scheduled to start in July this year.
Kembe further revealed the national government, a co-sponsor of the project, will pump into it about $1.9 million while benefiting communities will be expected to contribute about $0.2million, “which translates to13% and 6% respectively.
“Our main objective during this second phase will be to strengthen the country’s dairy industry through capacity building and group development of smallholder dairy farmers within the nine counties,” said the coordinator who further added part of fund will be availed to the beneficiaries in form of grants.
According to the official, the SDCP steering committee was currently identifying Dairy Commercialization Areas (DCAs) at ward levels from where the project will concentrate her dairy activities in the nine counties, “we intend to work with a total of 30 DCAs in all the
selected counties.
In Kakamega County, the project will concentrate her activities in Lugari, Likuyani and Malava sub counties.
During the workshop, the team under SDCP Group Development Officer, Mrs. Winfred Olubayi, used the occasion to propose wards in Likuyani, Lugari and Malava sub counties, where the project will cover.
