An additional 50,000 rural households are set to benefit from a Sh7.1 billion ($55 million) funding boost approved by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for Kenya's livestock sector.
The new financing will expand the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Programme (KeLCoP), increasing the number of rural households covered by the initiative from more than 100,000 to about 150,000.
IFAD Country Director Matteo Marchisio said the executive board of the United Nations specialised agency had approved the additional financing, which will increase IFAD's total support for KeLCoP to approximately Sh14.2 billion ($110 million).
KeLCoP is a government-backed programme being implemented from 2021 to 2027. It seeks to raise the incomes of smallholder farmers, improve their access to markets and strengthen their ability to deal with climate challenges.
"The additional financing, which will bring IFAD's total funding for the programme to approximately Sh14.2 billion (US$110 million), will help consolidate the results achieved so far and expand the programme's geographic reach," Marchisio said.
The programme currently operates across 10 counties and targets some of the key problems limiting livestock farmers' ability to increase production and earn more from their animals.
Among the issues it seeks to address are poor access to improved breeds, low productivity and weak production methods. Farmers are also being helped to develop commercial skills that can enable them to participate more effectively in the livestock business.
The expanded funding will allow KeLCoP to reach more families while extending the programme's geographical coverage. Its support is aimed at connecting farmers with markets and businesses so that more rural households can benefit from the wider livestock economy.
Women and young people will have a major place in the expanded programme. More than half of the beneficiaries are expected to be women, while young people will make up about a third of those reached by the new investment.
The programme will also continue encouraging farmers to get more value from their livestock through improved breeds and better production practices. These measures are expected to increase output and improve the performance of livestock enterprises.
Better connections to markets will give farmers more opportunities to sell their animals and other products at improved prices, helping them increase the value they receive from their livestock activities.
The latest financing will build on the results already achieved under KeLCoP while allowing the programme to reach another 50,000 households and extend its support to about 150,000 rural families.