Members of the FLAG pose for a group photo after the meeting session at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel, Kisumu
Poultry, Livestock and Kitchen garden farmers within Kisumu are set to benefit from 11million grant from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) through the County Government of Kisumu.
5.1million of the stated amount will go toward cushioning food producing and processing enterprises affected by the Covid -19 pandemic as a recovery strategy. The remaining 5.9 million grant will go into farm inputs and value addition equipment.
The Project dubbed integrated actions for innovative food systems across rural urban communities, targets 100 farmers receiving 100 birds each in Kisumu East, Kisumu central, Nyando and Kisumu west.
A total of 10,000 birds will be distributed to the said sub counties, 400 bags of feeds, vaccination of the birds and de-worming of dairy goats will also be done.
Speaking during the event, the CECM for Agriculture, irrigation, livestock and fisheries Mr. Gilchrist Okuom noted the adverse effects the pandemic has had on the food systems hence causing migration of people from urban to rural due to food insecurity.
This has come at a time when the Food Liaison Advisory Group ( FLAG) committee is looking at the urban food systems. He advised that this will change the mode of operation of the FLAG committee from as it were at the beginning.
He called for a concerted innovativeness and that the committee to move with speed in pushing the agenda forward in order to impact on the livelihood of those affected by the pandemic.
The FAO inclusive value chains sub program head Mr. Tito Arunga on his part acknowledged the impact of Covid – 19 on food production. He added that it has opened an opportunity for agriculture globally.
He reiterated that the role of FLAG is to work as a joint stakeholder to unlock the agricultural potentials.
He called on members to work with urgency to identify the gaps and constraints the farmers have for solutions to be reached.
” FAO intends to have a more established presence in the county to improve livelihoods of the people in the region ” said Mr. Arunga
The department of Business, Cooperatives and Marketing through their Chief Officer, Mr. Joseph Oganga pledged support in terms of modelling the program as a business for sustainability of capital, and value addition.
The forum also saw a new co- chairperson Mr. Samba Nixon Otieno Omumbo appointed taking over from Dr Abel Otieno the immediate former chairperson.
The meeting was also graced by Chief Officer Crops Dr. Paul Omanga, Chief Officer Livestock Madam Rosemary Raluoch, Facilitators : Rebecca Wanjiru Project manager FAO, Winnie Yegon FAO, Mr Erick Ogadho project liaison Officer, Madam Rose Achieng Owenga the county FLAG coordinator and members of the FLAG. By: Emily Mikwa & Lorraine Anyango
CECM Agriculture, irrigation, livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Gilchrist Okuom addressing FLAG members during a meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu yesterday ( photo: David Wadulo)
The FAO inclusive value chains sub program head Mr. Tito Arunga giving his remarks during the FLAG meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu
The FAO project manager, Rebecca Wanjiru making a presentation during the FLAG meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel.
Winnie Yegon from FAO making a presentation during a flag meeting.
Mr Erick Ogadho project liaison Officer, making a presentation during the FLAG meeting at the Royal Swiss Hotel.
Mr. Samba Nixon Otieno Omumbo the newly appointed co – Chairperson of the FLAG giving his acceptance speech yesterday at the Royal Swiss Hotel.