Taita Taveta County Government Partners with KALRO for TOT Training on Dairy Value Chain

Taita Taveta County Government, in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), are conducting a four-day training program for Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) targeting extension officers from all wards.

The initiative aims to empower Common Interest Groups (CIGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMGs), agripreneurs, lead farmers, and other stakeholders in the dairy value chain through technological innovations and best management practices to boost productivity and commercialization.

Speaking at the event, CCO for Agriculture Mcharo Mwalugha emphasized the county’s commitment to food and nutritional security. “Through NAVCDP, we are addressing gaps by not only increasing productivity but also steering farmers toward value addition, marketing, and economic empowerment,” he said, urging farmers to join SACCOs for better access to resources and support.

CCO for Livestock and Fisheries Paul Maneno called for improved grassroots service delivery and encouraged extension officers to actively engage with farmers. “Our agripreneurs and extension officers must ensure farmers receive the necessary support to improve productivity,” he stated, urging officers to act as agents of change to reclaim the county’s position as a leader in livestock and agricultural production.

County Project Coordinator for NAVCDP, Andrew Mbinga, highlighted the need for farmers to transition from subsistence farming to commercialization. “We must restore the prosperity our forefathers enjoyed by making dairy farming a profitable venture,” he said, emphasizing the role of SACCOs and farmer-producer organizations in achieving this goal.

The training, part of NAVCDP’s Tier 2 initiative, focuses on building technical capacity for impactful interventions in the county’s five value chain sectors, strengthening food and nutritional security across Taita Taveta.