The World Bank through the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project has supported 110 more farmer groups across six wards in Busia County with a view of eradicating poverty.
The cheques worth Sh62.5 million were disbursed by Governor Sospeter Ojaamong at Busia Agricultural Training Centre.
He stated that Sh62 million has been given to the county through the Climate Smart Agriculture project adding that the beneficiaries should utilize the funds prudently to improve the county’s economy.
The Governor urged extension officers to advise farmers on best practices so that they could improve their yields.
Ojaamong rubbished claims that Busia is one of the poverty-stricken counties adding that those peddling such allegations were idlers who were out to taint the image of his administration.
The County Project Coordinator Allan Ogendo stated that the funds have been disbursed in three phases with the first amounting to Sh20 million given to 40 groups, second Sh38 million to 71 groups and Sh24 million for 39 groups.
Beneficiaries of the first phase thanked the County Government for the initiative saying the project has improved their living standards.
The project is being implemented in 24 counties in the medium to high rainfall, semi-arid and arid areas of Kenya namely: Baringo, Bomet, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kisumu, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Mandera, Marsabit, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Uasin Gishu, Wajir and West Pokot.
By Shammah Bushuru
