Posted on June, 18, 2024 at 09:26 am
The agricultural sector in Kenya has been allocated Sh54.6 billion in the 2024–2025 budget, as announced by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u. This funding is aimed at various initiatives to transform the agricultural landscape of Kenya. According to Ndung'u, the objectives include empowering farmers, enhancing food security, and promoting economic growth within the sector. The initiatives will focus on transforming farmers into surplus producers, enhancing productivity across key food value chains, reducing import dependency, revamping export crops, and boosting the tea value chain through blending and branding.
Out of the total allocation, Sh10 billion is designated for the fertiliser subsidy programme. The National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project will receive Sh6.1 billion to improve value addition and market access, ensuring better returns for farmers. Additionally, Sh2.5 billion is allocated to combat the threat of locust invasions. Funds are also earmarked for supporting youth and women in agriculture, livestock production, the blue economy, climate change risks, and enhancing agriculture. To combat climate change risks and improve agricultural resilience, Sh340 million is allocated towards the Ending Drought Emergencies project, targeting smallholder farming and pastoral communities.
Source: Fresh Plaza