Digi Mark Cooperative Society Launched to Boost Potato Value Chain in Kesses Sub-County

Governor Jonathan Bii’s Nguzo Number One emphasizes agriculture as the backbone of the county’s economy. He has committed to revitalizing the sector through targeted, clustered approaches aimed at profitability, empowerment, and employment creation—including the construction of cold storage facilities for potatoes and capacity-building initiatives for potato breeding and seed production.

In a major step toward enhancing agricultural productivity and economic empowerment in the region, farmers from Tarakwa Ward have officially launched the Digi Mark Cooperative Society—a marketing cooperative dedicated to strengthening the potato value chain.

The launch event, held in Kesses Sub-County, brought together over 200 founding members from four locations within Tarakwa Ward. It showcased a united community effort focused on market-driven farming and cooperative development. The cooperative is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the production, aggregation, and marketing of potatoes, which is a key crop in the region.

The chief guest, County Chief Officer for Administration Ambrose Tarus, commended the members for taking the bold step of forming a cooperative focused on value addition and market access.

Tarus encouraged the members to remain committed and work diligently toward their goals, emphasizing that cooperative models are proven tools for driving economic transformation in rural communities.

> “This cooperative is not just about farming—it’s about business, empowerment, and sustainability. I encourage every member to stay the course, work together, and make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead,” said CO Tarus.

The Digi Mark Cooperative Society will work closely with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to access technical assistance, capacity building, and financial linkages. Through this partnership, the cooperative aims to introduce improved farming practices, enhance access to quality inputs, and streamline aggregation and marketing for increased farmer earnings.

Present were MCA Hon. Thomas Yego,Deputy director cooperatives development John Rotich, 

Ag. Sub county administrator , Ward Administrator

Susan kisorio,they expressed their support for the initiative, pledging continued collaboration to ensure the cooperative’s long-term success.