Project News

Sensitization workshop for county leaders of 2nd batch counties was held!

Prior to the commencement of activities in the 2nd batch target county, the Project held the sensitization workshop targeting county leaders at Kitui County in April 2022. The 2nd batch counties of the project were 10, namely, Nyeri, Busia, Migori, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Machakos and Kajiado, and CEC (County Executive Committee) members, CO (Chief Officer) and CDA (County Director of Agriculture) participated in.

At the sensitization workshop, the history of SHEP, the outline of the SHEP Biz project, the method of selecting the target sub-counties, and the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) to be signed between the county governments and the Ministry of Agriculture were presented and discussed. The signing MOU aims for the county governments to promise the implementation of the SHEP Approach by the human resources and budget of the counties after the human resource development training by the project. Some participants concerned about signing the MOU and said not confidence whether it can be implemented even if it is signed.

On the second day of the workshop, participants visited the SHEP farmer groups. Participants observed the farmer's farm and heard from the farmer about improving their lives through SHEP. Farmers said they have increased their income since joining SHEP, and as a result, shared various success stories such as buying cars and motorcycles, paying for children's education fees, buying water tanks, expanding their homes, etc. One farmer presented his story that obtaining an opportunity for his wife to study at an educational institution, and as a result, she became a primary school teacher. Participants seem to have reaffirmed the value of SHEP.

On the final day of the workshop, participants discussed the memorandum again. Eventually, all counties promised to sign a MOU and expressed their willingness to participate in SHEP Biz. In the future, the Project will follow up on the submission of the MOU and will have a Organizer's workshop for sub-county agricultural officers selected for each county.

CEC sensitization workshop

Participants talked with SHEP farmers