Nakuru County Govt moves to support farmers’ Co-operatives

By Munene Maina
Nakuru County Government has embarked on an ambitious strategy to strengthen farmer’s co-operatives and boost Agricultural sector.
Speaking to Sacco Review in his office, Nakuru Co-operatives Director Patrick Mak’Anyengo said strong societies for farmers will ensure they get good returns from their activities.
“Agriculture sector plays a big role in our county and with better earnings farmers will be able to improve their livelihoods,” he said.
He said Governor Kinuthia Mbugua will distribute six milk coolers to various Dairy Cooperatives across the county. This, he said, will reduce wastage of milk hence increasing farmer’s income.
Mak’Anyengo added that the County Government had set aside Sh1.5 million to support poultry societies in Nakuru. He said they plan to provide hatcheries. To enhance poultry farming and marketing of products, the poultry societies have registered a union.
He said the process to set up Co-operatives revolving fund is ongoing in the County Assembly.
Mak’Anyengo noted that the county had made tremendous progress in Co-operatives sector. “The County Government of Nakuru has been supportive on formation and registration of youth Saccos especially for Bodabodas,” he said.
He said they have been conducting capacity building programmes to strengthen leadership and management of Co-operatives within the county.
Owing to conducive business environment, he noted, many Sacco’s had opened branches in the county.
He said necessary measures have been put in place to ensure county residents are not swindled of their money by pyramid-like organizations masquerading as Saccos. He, however, noted that capitalization was a challenge to some of the societies in the county.
The director called on Co-operatives to be ambitious and innovative to attract more members and customers.
“With the high number of Saccos setting base in Nakuru town, the competition gets stiff and it calls for services that satisfy clients if Saccos are to remain at the top,” he said.

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