Sh34 Billion Programme Launched to Boost Climate-Smart Agriculture in Western Kenya
 |
The Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme (INReMP), an eight-year initiative, will target 10 counties in the region, with Uasin Gishu County identified as a key beneficiary.
The programme was unveiled during a courtesy call on Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim at the county headquarters ahead of the INReMP workshop launch in Eldoret.
Leading the national government delegation was Principal Secretary for Agriculture Kipronoh Ronoh, accompanied by Principal Secretary in the State Department for Environment and Climate Change Festus K. Ng'eno and IFAD Country Director Mariatu Kamara.
Transformative Climate-Resilient Programme
PS Ronoh described INReMP as a transformative intervention designed to support climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable natural resource management and improved rural livelihoods.
“The programme has three components,” he explained. “There is a big component on natural resource management — taking care of soil, forests, water-affected areas and improving farming systems.”
He said the second component focuses on livelihoods and value chain development, including support to cooperatives with machinery and technology for value addition across key agricultural value chains such as coffee.
The third pillar will address governance and administration to ensure effective implementation.
The programme will be jointly implemented by the State Department for Agriculture and the State Department for Environment and Climate Change. It will include major investments in water infrastructure, farmland development, forest and rangeland restoration, as well as support to the dairy and animal feed sectors through improved equipment and production technologies.
“This is a big programme which will really change our farming community in a positive way, support marketing of farm produce, enhance capacity building for cooperatives and protect our natural environment,” Ronoh said.
Focus on Greening and Commercialisation
INReMP aims to drive the greening and commercialisation of nature-based value chains by promoting regenerative agriculture and climate-smart solutions that strengthen farmers’ resilience and adaptive capacity.
Governor Chelilim affirmed his administration’s commitment to support the programme’s rollout, noting that Uasin Gishu — one of Kenya’s food basket counties — will provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure successful implementation.
The initiative seeks to enhance climate resilience by helping rural communities adapt to climate change impacts, while promoting sustainable management of forests, rangelands, arable land, wetlands and water resources.
Dairy and High-Value Crops in Focus
In Uasin Gishu, the programme will prioritise strengthening the dairy value chain by expanding Artificial Insemination (AI) services, improving livestock genetics and supporting dairy cooperatives.
The county will also promote crop diversification beyond traditional maize and wheat farming by boosting the production and distribution of high-value crops such as coffee, avocado and macadamia.
By increasing incomes for smallholder farmers — including women and youth — the government and IFAD say the programme is designed to deliver long-term rural transformation while reinforcing food security and environmental sustainability across western Kenya.
Post a Comment