Kenya: $55 million to expand support for 150,000 rural households

The International Fund for Agricultural Development has approved additional funding of approximately $55 million for the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project, a program dedicated to small-scale livestock producers. This new funding is intended to broaden the support provided to rural households in several livestock-rearing areas of the country.

The program currently assists over 100,000 households across ten counties. The additional funding is expected to integrate around 50,000 more households, bringing the total coverage to nearly 150,000 rural homes.

Launched in 2021, the KeLCoP aims to increase the incomes of small producers, improve their access to markets, and enhance their capacity to cope with climate shocks. It particularly supports the adoption of better production practices and access to more productive animal breeds.

The expansion will also strengthen the links between livestock producers, input suppliers, traders, transporters, and processors. More than half of the targeted beneficiaries are women, and about one-third are youth, according to the objectives outlined with the funding.

Germany Trade & Invest estimates the additional loan at $54.78 million and identifies the State Department for Livestock Development as the agency responsible for its implementation. KeLCoP is a six-year program launched in 2021 and is scheduled to run until 2027.