They learnt frameworks, conditions and appropriate packages and approaches to boost agriculture, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka told the Star on the phone yesterday.

 

The nine jetted back into the country on Wednesday night.

 

“The governors have developed clear strategies and plans on how to profitably invest in agricultural vocational training, extension services and transfer of research results and technologies, in order to professionalise traditional farming systems,” Lusaka said.

 

He said these investments will create profitable businesses, increase farmers' incomes and open up job opportunities in the counties.

 

The governors included Lusaka, Peter Munya (Meru), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Nderitu Gachagua (Nyeri), Joseph Ndathi (Kirinyaga), Ukur Yattani (Marsabit), Martin Wambora (Embu), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Joseph Nanok (Turkana).

 

Lusaka said they also learnt how to make best use of agriculture-based cooperatives and associations at county and national levels in order to share machinery and equipment, to market produce, sell to lucrative markets for organic products, transfer innovate technologies and to give service to members.

 

They learnt more about the German cooperation and their activities in Kenya.

 

According to Lusaka, the German Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) explained that Germany is the second largest bilateral donor in Kenya, in agriculture, water and health priority programmes.

 

 Financial cooperation is implemented through the German KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), technical cooperation is implemented by GIZ, both, long term partners of German cooperation in Kenya.

 

The governors disscussed with KfW on investments in rural roads in Western Kenya to start in mid-November, while Phase 4 of the smallholder irrigation programme in Mt Kenya region is ready for signing of a contract and launching.

 

Other investments for the counties that will spur growth in Bungoma, Siaya and Kakamega will be identified during a feasibility study planned for December.

 

 Investment on agriculture development will be replicated in Marsabit and Turkana counties, where a feasibility study will be carried out to identify the most suitable investments options in agriculture, livestock and related infrastructure such as irrigation.

 

GIZ (German Technical Cooperation) said it will continue supporting Kenya to attract and manage more investments from donors.

Source : www.the-star.co.ke