News Categories: Agriculture and Cooperative Development

16 Jun
By: Faith Songok 0

NANDI CO-OPERATIVE SECTOR RECEPTIVE TO BAMBOO FARMING, AN EMERGING VALUABLE AND RENEWABLE RESOURCE IN THE REGION

The objective in which the co-operative directorate builds on is that encompassing bearing of how the co-operative model engages shared responsibility, as the channel of efficiently achieving goals, especially in areas of risk and shared processes for a successful result.

Of the resilience the model provides in new risk initiatives, the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development mobilized take up of bamboo, an emerging crop practice, first as an initiative of conserving the wetland areas in Nandi as a liaison with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and second, to have farmers in wetland areas take up this noble initiative, as they benefit economically from the business opportunities the crop provides.

As a composite to the dominant agricultural value chains in Nandi, interested farmers were sensitized to form a co-operative, registered as Nandi Bamboo Co-operative Society. The sense of it was to have them progress together and cushion challenges that may pose, as the farmers get to familiarize their standing in the sector.

On a three-day workshop, the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development in partnership with East Africa Bamboo Development Program held sensitization and training to Nandi Bamboo Co-operative Society members target areas farmers and representative counterparts from UasinGishu, Bomet, Kericho, and Busia counties. The workshop was an informative and consultative one that saw an in-depth focus on ways of maneuvering in the venture and holding to a sustainable perspective on the investment. Of major insight was on identifying market opportunities and penetrative linkages to establish strong networks and shareholding in the bamboo market.

Attendees following through the meeting.

Speaking during the workshop Chief Officer Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony assured of the County Government’s support in illuminating and making viable the value bamboo farming provides. Of highlight, she informed on the major contribution bamboo contributes to a proactive role in most of the industrialization goal factors namely, climate conservation, economic returns, innovativeness, and infrastructure development.

Chief Officer, Co-operative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony addressing the team.

Nandi Bamboo Co-operative Society is now heavily invested in seed propagation and end-product manufacturing done at their warehouse in Aldai Sub County. The society is now looking to expand its market and create viable returns to its members.

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12 Jun
By: Faith Songok 0

NANDI DAIRY UNION, TRANSFORMING DAIRY SECTOR ENTERPRISE GROWTH IN NANDI

Nandi Dairy Union continues to uphold its goal of being the mandate informer and a transformational vehicle on matters dairy economy in Nandi. With such a transformative task, the union continues to seek governance establishments, administrative counsel, resource facilitation, and liaison linkages from the County Government, as both collaboratively move to create and firmly establish a farmer-owned business enterprise dairy environment in Nandi.

The union’s vision to be an industry leader in the production of quality and competitive dairy products has received extensive support from the County Government of Nandi, Department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development under the stewardship of His Excellency Governor Stephen Sang. In the interest of its dairy farmers, the County Government has and continues to nurture the union in all administrative responsibilities as per its ordinance. It also acts as a chief liaison on any matter related to the promotion of economic growth and development facilitated by the union.

Of significance is the commissioning and establishment of the milk processing plant owned and operated by Nandi dairy union farmers through the union.

Chief Officer, Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony addressing the union members.

In light of this, on Friday during the union Annual General Meeting, the two parties deliberately consulted on areas of reason and focus on building the sector effectively. The main highlight was the agreement to have a well-positioned perspective approach that will address challenge factors that would otherwise affect stability in price payout to the union farmers.

The union has recorded tremendous achievements in widening its capacity functions and innovative practices for the past year. The Union ascribed its successes to the consistent support of the County Government which has seen build, on matters, bargaining power through bulking of milk, networks with well-performing dairy counties Baringo, Meru, and Makueni, resource support from the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Grant Program(NARIGP) and Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP), a start on bulking and selling of milk to processors which has resulted in an increase and consistent prices, trust and hence unity among its members,  and the confidence in their part in the dairy market to warrant the development of their strategic steps for the period  2020-2024.

Present were delegates from the primary co-operatives, chief officer co-operative development Dr. Benadatte Tiony, officials from the County Government, auditors, and the board of directors.

From left, Chief Officer Co-operative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony, and Co-operative Officers from the directorate of Co-operative Development, Mr. Paul Bowen and Mr. Victor Tanui.

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24 May
By: Faith Songok 0

USE OF CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT MODEL, A STEER SHIP TRANSFORMATIONAL AGENDA OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF NANDI, TAKES TO GREAT STRIDES FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN NANDI.

Nandi co-operative sector proves to be an efficient and effective tool of ensuring a substantial number of farmers, who are the priority stakeholders in agriculture, have access to available financial opportunities to scale up their economic ventures.

Owing to this and as a govern of the functions and links between initiatives and associations of sector interest to its people, the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development ensured that the sector is included and made viable to adequately host and participate in essential supporting financial structures that provides useful and affordable financing, which allows for the sector to deliver in a responsible and sustainable way.

As a result, the main participating financial actors that the County Government of Nandi has merged with to scale development activities of co-operatives in Nandi are National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Grant Project (NARIGP) and Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP). Their role has seen development and implementation of various beneficial facets within the dairy, maize, potato, poultry and avocado value chains. NARIGP targets rural localities which make up ninety nine percent of Nandi, in an aim to increase productivity thus profitability of agricultural activities in these localities. ASDSP main objective is commercialization of ventures in the various areas of agriculture, a priority if co-operatives are to diversify and increase their financial gains.

The focused financial products and services were directed to mainly inform on developing projects, provision of savings facilities through discounts and subsidies, credit and insurance within co-operative societies qualified for funding.

Through the strategy of having the co-operative sector as a model in financial access and inclusivity, the County Government of Nandi has recorded achievements of its targets especially in areas of deepening penetration of agricultural development services in rural areas.

Also are various engagements to increase formal financial inclusion through activating and expanding partnership offers within these programs.

The County Government of Nandi has also tasked its directorate of co-operative development under the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development to reform the policies constricting responsive approaches to efficient development operations within the co-operative societies’ structures in Nandi, a task under the Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP).

The County Government of Nandi under the stewardship of H.E Stephen Arap Sang is committed to ensuring these financial support programs scale up the agricultural co-operatives in Nandi by ensuring it finds and implement solutions beyond their local markets, that co-operatives have adequate presence within partnerships and to enhance the co-operatives capacity to improve their profitability and productivity.

For more detailed and specific project developments within co-operatives in Nandi, skim through agriculture and co-operative development news portal on the Nandi County website www.nandi.go.ke.

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13 May
By: Faith Songok 0

STRENGTHENING CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO SUSTAINING INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT; NANDI TEA MULTIPURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

Key among the agricultural sustainable agendas of the County Government of Nandi accords largely investment growth to the framework in which cooperative societies operate on. This is in view of the development approach co-operatives use, which interlinks growth on both, the economic and social facets of productivity.

It is in this light that the directorate of co-operative development under the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development is committed in its mandate to direct efforts in strengthening governance, a fundament to the efficiency and resilience of investment systems within these co-operatives, as informant of development success.

On Thursday together with the management committee of Nandi Tea Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Chief Officer Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony identified areas of opportunities in which to enhance the economic and social status of the society’s membership.

“There is need to refocus and re-assess Nandi Tea Co-operative Society development strategy not just to mobilize financial resources but to also look into securing its development by assimilating the most proactive yielding human resource, the youth, as stewards of future sustainability and development”.

She stated this as a note that the membership of the co-operative largely lies on the senior age group with less on the younger side. She urged the team to revise their bylaws to have an inclusive aspect that allows flexibility and ease of entrance for the youth in the society. She also asked the committee tasked on the role of member education to liaise with the office to rally and disseminate knowledge on the economic advantage of joining Nandi Tea Multipurpose Society as a rally for youths to join in the development, in addition to increasing the knowledge base of it members on management information to increase comprehension thus trust in the society’s agendas.

Of managerial responsibility, Dr. Benadatte emphasized on the key need to audit every process for assured accountability. This goes a long way to stabilize the investment portfolio of the co-operative hence further expand its capacity to indulge in other prosperity mediums.

She applauded the team for its consistent effort to earn rank as the best managed investment society in Nandi. In inclusion is the proactive measure the co-operative took in diversifying its asset integration to include other means of mobilizing capital apart from tea production.

Also present was Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer, Madam Bismeth Maleya.

Chief Officer Co-operative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony (fifth from left) pose for a photo with Nandi Tea Multipurpose Co-operative Society Management Committee.

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28 Apr
By: Peter Koima 5

NANDI AVOCADO FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETY START EXPORTING THEIR PRODUCE.

Aggregation of smallholder farmers through farmers’ organisations is key in creating an enabling environment for farmers to thrive. For a very long time, small scale farmers have struggled to access good markets for their produce due to their dispersed and unorganised nature.

Harvested  Hass Avocados from members of Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society.

In light of this, the department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development in liaison with NARIG project continue to support and strengthen Farmers’ organizations with a view of addressing market challenges.

CECM Agriculture and Co-operative Development, Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat checks the vitality of the avocado fruits

One of the beneficiary organizations in this arrangement is the Nandi Avocado Farmers’ Cooperative Society who have benefited from our inclusion and capacity building grants among other government supports.

As a result of these concerted efforts, the department is thrilled to announce that recent negotiations and deal made between Nandi Avocado Farmers’ Cooperative Society, the County Government of Nandi and exporter Sunripe Limited has started to yield fruit.

Exporter endorsed to market Avocado produce of Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society.

On Tuesday, the CECM for Agriculture Dr Kiplimo Araap Lagat witnessed the first batch harvesting and aggregation of hass avocados for export by members of the Society that kicked off at Mr. Sigot’s farm in Koyo-Ndurio ward, Aldai Sub County.

CECM Agriculture and Co-operative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat witnesses and joins in the harvesting and aggregation  of avocado for export.

Under the deal, the cooperative is set to enjoy a standard price of not less than KES 80 per kg of Hass variety and not less than KES 55 per KG of the Fuerte. Currently, the society is enjoying a maximum price of Sh 92 per Kg of Hass variety.

Avocado Sizing Grader.

#TugaTai #TransformingNandi

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26 Apr
By: Faith Songok 0

MOBILIZATION OF RURAL SAVINGS & CREDIT EMPOWERMENT THROUGH PRE CO-OPERATIVE MEETING.

In reality of the substantial capacity the rural sector informs on economy development, the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development under the directorate of Co-operative Development is keen to capacity build interested goal sharing groups in rural settings, on the role of capital accumulation through cooperatives.

Given that cooperatives provides a unique ownership structure whose base is on equity of each member. This assures of transparency; a crucial component when the model of business is that of pulling resources together to inform on a common goal.

The primary mandate of the capacity building initiative is to facilitate good co-operative governance through reinforcing effective technical and organizational practices that influences effective and binding decision making, which allows for maximum realization of the individual purpose of a co-operative society.

On this account and in heed to an interest by a group of residents from Mosobecho, a locality in Emgwen, a pre-co-operative consultative meeting with Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya, was held on Monday on a proposed cooperative society named Mugulel Nel Co-operative Society.

Members of the Proposed Mugulel Nel Co-operative Society in Consultation with Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya.

To economically empower men from the area, in benchmark of the economic strides of women groups in the sector, the only men group hopes to secure their families income foothold through pulling resources together in form of savings and also as their capital requirements increase, create a credit system in dependence to their measure of investment.

The Sub County Co-operative officer, madam Bismeth shared knowledge about factors and approaches the group has to stand on in operations as a cooperative in areas: objectives, principles, rights, obligations, management, ownership, and finances among other provisions.

She assured of the County Government of Nandi support as the group start on their resourceful objective and urged them to be committed as they work towards sustainable development of the community at large.

Emgwen Sub County Co-operative Officer Madam Bismeth Maleya addressing the meeting.

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26 Apr
By: Faith Songok 0

POLICY, ACT/BILL AND STRATEGY DOMESTICATION & CUSTOMIZATION FOR THE CO-OPERATIVE SECTOR IN NANDI. 

The County Government of Nandi, directorate of co-operative development through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development are in process of drafting a bill tailored to policies and approaches that are designed to meet the need adaptation which will inform the specific functional elements of co-operative societies in Nandi.

The directorate has noted the necessity of setting its obligation to align the co-operative act in relation to the local objectives that are sustainable to its cooperators development agendas, dire to their wants and efficient models of doing business.

The consultation saw incorporation of expert involvement from the sub sectors informing on cooperatives in Nandi namely agriculture, industrialization, trade, legal and enterprise development; In assurance that all areas of necessity are included, extensively reviewed and refined to the efficiancy of the policy formulation.

Consultative Meeting in Progress.

A comparative approach was used in the deliberations, built upon resource materials with major reference to the national co-operative development policy and other informing tailor made co-operative acts.

The policies agreed on for adaptation and amends extensified on the current capacity acess on areas in need of clear interpretation of the co-operative functions in a devolved setting.

Chief Officer Co-operative Development, Dr. Benadatte Tiony stated that the prime objective focus is to establish and maintain a standard of efficient measure and transparency in regulation and management of cooperative societies in Nandi.

“This is one of the emphasis areas in which co-operatives in Nandi as business models of economic development should adopt for sustainability in the ever changing enterprise environment.”

She was optimistic of the pro activeness shown during the process in its initiation and assured of the County Government commitment to uphold it to completion.

Upon completion the final draft will be subjected to the key stakeholders for harmonization and validation before being tabled to the necessary referrals.

Chief Officer Cooperative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony.

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22 Apr
By: Faith Songok 0

FARMER ENGAGEMENT TO UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS INTRINSCS OF COFFEE VALUE CHAIN IN NANDI.

 

On Thursday, a delegation of coffee farmers from Tinderet Sub County paid a courtesy call to Co-operative Development office, department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development.

Meeting In Progress

In optimism of the visible efforts of the County Government of Nandi in matters Agriculture, and in its role as a chief regulator in matters economic sustanance, the team expressed interest in working with the Government in securing favourable and standard measures of operations in their venture as coffee farmers.

Of emphasis as their main expression of interest was highlights on a comprehensive set of recommendations from their capacities in a small holder production system to improve sustainable development of coffee sector majorly on areas information, input in the production cycle, standardized development, market innates and resources.

The Chief Officer, Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony applauded the pro active move by the team to integrate the County Government consult stating that the approach will be instrumental in effectively tackling the issues presented both as a government mandate and as a means to provide more relevant and effective resource and regulation services to individual farmers involved in the coffee supply chain.

Chief Officer Cooperative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony addressing the meeting. 

For the team to enjoy the ease of informing their own strategies under the shelter of the government, She urged the team to form an association as an initiate on their operation development, mergers/partnerships with multi-stakeholders, risk management, legal protection, investor rights and protection, and other underlying components.

She informed on the steps the County Government of Nandi has taken to sustain development, productivity and profitability of coffee sector in Nandi. Key among them is policy review on protection rights of farmers in co-operative business. Also was the success in identifying a location to construct a miller in steps to have it improve grading of coffee from the region through quality control among other production and economic benefits that comes when farmers own fully the business.

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20 Apr
By: Faith Songok 0

Outlook on Employee Engagement As Informant of Agenda Performance.

On Friday, The department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development hosted the deputy governor Dr Yuliya cheruiyot on an employee engagement with its enablers, the staff.

The department understands that employees major investment is the key determinant of the success of the agricultural sector, a sector dear both socially and economically to the residents of Nandi.

It is in this light that the conversation was centred around: Staff appreciation for playing their important part in meeting the department’s mission, potential output when various structures are supported, employee experience in its objective measure and ways to strengthen and improve employee engagement.

Speaking during the meeting, the deputy governor,. Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot affirmed on the administration commitment to support the transformation team in their continuous willingness to support the government agenda. She recognized Agriculture tremendous progress witnessed consistently over the periods despite challenges.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot addressing the staff.

She urged the staff to be on the forefront to own the projects they are responsing over and speak with confidence on their achievements more so individually on a whole.

She led the team through discussing proposals for consideration and further made known the plans the government has over its employees.

CECM Agriculture and Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Arap Lagat on his part stressed on the need to have focus on structures that inform on service delivery as a development function.

CECM Agriculture and Co-operative Development, Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat.

He stated that achievement can only be effectively measured on the basis of how well resources are facilitated and seeved to reach to the end goal, which is the improvement of farmer’s livelihood with its complement of hardware support.

Staff present represented the five directorates namely Agriculture, livestock Production, Veteniary Services, Co-operative Development and Fisheries.

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20 Apr
By: Faith Songok 0

INFORMING ON MANAGERIAL EFFECTIVENESS AS A DEVELOPMENT TOOL TO THRIVE THE POTATO SECTOR IN NANDI; NANDI POTATO CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

Nandi Potato Co-operative Society management committee were convened to a status review and managerial governance meeting to exclusively examine and measure their administration bases and priorities which are critical informants of decision making, an ultimate of the efficiency of the success achieved by the society.

Meeting In progress.

The aim of the forum which was organized by the County Government under the Department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development, was to well verse the managerial team with clear insights, to guide the team in making available a stabilized, adequate and comprehensive accord to the structures the society uses to run its operations.

Chairman, Nandi Potato Co-operative Society.

Key elements discussed was on compliance management, objective assessments in decision making, identifying options and better alternatives upon challenging encounters, prioritization of technical support at production level, effective marketing objectives that will ensure growth and profitability ,in addition to economically empowering its members in diversifying the commercialization of their produce .

The County Government of Nandi under the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) confides in commercializing potato farming in Nandi through this cooperative, a union of potato farmers, whose membership aim is to benefit from their collective bargain to establish infrastructures sufficient enough to increase productivity and profitability of their produce.

From left, Chief Officer Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony, CECM Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat, Chief Officer Agriculture, Mr. Wilson Lelei.

Farmers are encouraged to join the society and enjoy the County Government support in its provision of a favorable regulatory environment when it comes to resource and governance facilitation, provision of high quality certified seedlings, access to experienced technical support through extension services, cushion risk as an investor in large scale production and other investment opportunities in potato production, storage and marketing of produce.
So far as a marketing society, the co-operative has recorded achievements in supporting member potato farmers in areas mentioned above.

The CECM Agriculture and Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat and the chief officers Agriculture and Co-operative Development Mr. Wilson Lelei and Dr. Benadatte Tiony respectively emphasized on the vital significance of working in compliance to the frameworks in stipulation and broadening the capacity and potential present to upscale and sustain growth and profitability of the potato value chain in Nandi.

Also present were staff in their respective roles in the value chain operations.

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