NEWS
US - funded US $44m Livestock
Market Systems Launched in Kenya
A
pproximately five counties
from Northern Kenya are set
to benefit from US- funded US
$44m Livestock Market Systems
that was launched recently. The US
Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec
said that under the Livestock Market
Systems program, pastoralists will
receive grants, undergo vocational
and technical education, business
support services, and policy expertise
to expand and diversify economic
opportunities.
The five-year project funded through
the US Government’s “Feed the Future
program” will strengthen market
systems in Northern Kenya. The
initiative is also projected to benefit
well over 240,000 households in
Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Turkana, and
Wajir counties.
Presently, a total of 94,000
households in the five counties have
already benefitted from USAID’s
investments. The investments go
towards supporting pastoralist
communities to cope better with and
recover from climate-related stresses.
Godec further added that the US
Government is committed to unlocking
the full economic potential of the
ASAL counties. As such, they continue
to support the trade of livestock,
livestock products, pasture and fodder
production, and fishing. He was
speaking earlier on this week at the
opening of the Lodwar livestock market
in Turkana County that was upgraded
to the tune of US $ 375,020.
According to Godec, the improved
structures and facilities will encourage
economic growth in the livestock
industry. They will also create wealth,
employment and resilience within the
community.
He also emphasized that support to
entrepreneurs and local businesses are
a key component of the United States
Government’s global hunger and food
initiative.
The Feed the Future program initiative
works to reduce hunger and poverty,
increase social stability. This is
while building strong foundations for
economic growth through strengthened
social, economic, and environmental
resilience.
November - December 2018 | 7