Machakos, 28th May 2024
Nairobi City County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi Mr. Ibrahim Auma assured agricultural value chain actors that the County will continue putting in place measures that support urban agriculture activities.
Speaking in Machakos County during training of value chain actors on mentorship and coaching, the Green Nairobi CECM said efforts are still ongoing to ensure policies such as Nairobi City County Urban Agriculture Promotion Regulation Act, 2015 is reviewed to include the commercialization aspect. He also mentioned Nairobi City County Food Systems Strategy which is currently being implemented as well as the County Agricultural Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM) Bill whose development was facilitated by ASDSP 11 and is meant to ensure effective coordination mechanisms for agricultural programmes.
“Nairobi Governor H.E Sakaja Johnson manifesto commits to a city of opportunity where we support urban agriculture activities to drive agro-preneurship through boosting agricultural value chain development. This is an opportunity for value chain actors to ensure market penetration across the county and is in line with the Governor’s commitment of making Nairobi a City of Order, Dignity, Hope and Opportunity for all”. He said.
The Kale, broiler and cow milk Value chain actors were taken through group dynamics, aggregation and marketing. The group was also trained on enhancing business competitiveness, marketing tools, e-commerce platform among other topics, courtesy of Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme ( ASDSP)11.
ASDSP 11 Programme focus was to support three priority areas namely; Kale, broiler and cow milk for improved income, food and nutrition security in Nairobi County.
Under the ASDSP 11 Programme, the County has made remarkable strides in increasing productivity, enhancing entrepreneurial and marketing skills among the value chain actors and service providers in the Nairobi.
“We expect that the innovations and equipment that most of you are beneficiaries will be put to the intended use, will increase productivity and be well maintained”. Said Mr. Auma.
The County Executive Committee Member expressed confidence that the positive impact made by ASDSP 11 Programme will be felt in many years to come due to the sustainability measures put in place and the engagement of the value chain actors all through till the end.
Mr. Philemon Lagat, the ASDSP 11 Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Officer attributed the success of the Programme to the support from the Executive Committee Member. He urged the value chain actors to now move towards forming vibrant cooperatives which will benefit them more and improve their livelihoods.
County Director for Crops and Forestry Development Ms. Mary Kibira called on the value chain actors and farmers at large to maintain high standards of their products as well as work on increasing volumes. She also urged them to participate in the forthcoming recruitment of farmers awards, adding that she was confident that Nairobi will once again produce the best farmer this year.
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