Community engagement tour of the rice value chain in the Nyanza region

Today, Mr. Peter Leng'apiani, CEO,  Uwezo Fund joined Ms. Susan Mang'eni, PS MSME, is on a community engagement tour of the rice value chain in the Nyanza region, beginning in Migori and covering Ahero, Homabay, Siaya, and Bunyala.

The two-day fact-finding mission aims to explore the possibilities of onboarding rice farmers in the region onto the catalytic program, which is  in alignment with the BETA Agenda  of empowering MSMEs at the grassroot level.

The tour is intended to assess the uptake and challenges of the rice value chain and to understand how the communities can be supported by the SAGAs under the Ministry of Cooperatives.

On the first day of the visit, the  team paid a courtesy call to the National Irrigation Authority 's offices, Nyakera and visited the paddies and milling machines at the lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Nyatike Constituency, Migori County.

 The scheme, which began in 2012, has a potential farming area of 19,000 acres, with a current utilization of 4,000 acres, representing 31%. Its main water source is River Kuja.

The  rice irrigation scheme  was established in 1975 with about 50 farmers.The current numbers of farmers are about 5000 covering 1543HA which produces about 762242 bags per year.Currently the scheme involves 2,000 farmers managing 2,140 acres with a potential of 90,000 acres. 

PS commended the rice farmers and scheme managers for their success in promoting sustainable rice farming practices and improving community livelihoods.

She urged the farmers to form and register groups and to aggregate their efforts to benefit from the catalytic programs. She encouraged them to seek loans to continue the schemes, particularly emphasizing support for women.

The chair of the scheme said they anticipate to increase their production to about 2000000 bags annually and appealed for  support for quality rice seedlings, fertilizers,  funds to buy modern rice husking machine and farm ploughing machines availability of value addition of machines for making rice jam 
financial support.

Farmers expressed concern that current market prices are unfavorable saying that previously, they sold a kilogram for Ksh 65-68, but this season, the price has dropped to Ksh 30-35, representing a 50% loss. They appealed for support in marketing and capital.

 The PS affirmed government support, stating that SAGAs would assist farmers by developing specific products tailored to their needs and providing continued financial assistance and capacity-building programs.

The CEO Uwezo Fund   highlighted the importance of modernizing farming equipment and enhancing market access, which are crucial for the scheme’s long-term success.   He d
Further reiterated that the Fund will  support the farmers with capacity building and market exposures and also work towards developing a unique product to support the seed capital for the farmers.

The CEC lands,  from Migori county government  welcomed the collaborative initiative and committed to supporting the farmers with seedlings.

Later in  the afternoon, the team visited the West Kano Irrigation Scheme in West Kano Wawidhi Ward, Kisumu County.

The Irrigation Scheme was  established in 1975, the scheme’s main water source is the intermittent River Awach. It covers approximately 1,500 acres. 

The PS encouraged farmers to focus on value addition for their rice produce and to collaborate with both private and public partners  to achieve their goals.

Farmers pointed out several challenges, including poor marketing, lack of local markets for produce, inadequate storage facilities such as silos, and difficulties in sourcing seedlings.

Also in attendance were representatives from the County Government, NGAO and farmers leaders and farmers.