About 75 percent of Kenyans derive all or part of their livelihoods from agriculture, which accounts for 18 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the poverty level, is nearly 50%. The United States Government Feed the Future initiative in Kenya is helping 400,000 smallholder farmers and their families escape the cycle of poverty.
Today in Turkana County, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Robert F. Godec opened the Lodwar Livestock Market, which was upgraded through 38 million Kenya Shilling (US $380,000) in funds from the U.S. government to improve the market’s infrastructure and water system. The improved structures and facilities will spur economic growth in the livestock industry and create wealth, employment and resilience within the community.
I am very pleased to join all of you today in celebrating the opening of the Lodwar Livestock Market. I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to bring this project to completion. A vibrant market system in northern Kenya helps the region in many ways: it spurs private sector investment, strengthens the resilience of pastoralists, and reduces the impact of climate-induced disasters such as drought and floods. In recognition of its importance, the United States invested 38 million Kenyan shillings in the Lodwar Livestock Market to help upgrade its infrastructure and improve water access within the market so that buyers and sellers can focus on business.
Kenya is one of the fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Rising incomes and increased investment in agriculture bode well for continued growth. However, ninety percent of smallholder farmers still grow maize or other low-income generating crops. Opportunities to add value to crops and access export markets only reach a fraction of the country’s smallholder farmers. Smallholder dairy producers supply 70 percent of Kenya’s domestic milk production, but lack productive dairy cows, nutritious animal feed and sufficient knowledge and skills to ensure quality control and food safety.
The Feed the Future Kenya Country Plan, under the United States Government’s (USG’s) Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), serves as an overarching framework for integrated food security and nutrition programming in Kenya. This plan describes the key drivers of food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty.
Pages
Last updated: November 28, 2018
Share This Page
Speeches and Testimonials
Transforming Lives
Comment
Make a general inquiry or suggest an improvement.