FIPs Expands Operations to Kakamega County, Aims to Empower Local Farmers

By Strilus Bellbut

The Farm Inputs Promotion Africa Society (FIPs), a non-governmental cooperative organization known for its work in the central region of the country, has expanded its operations to Kakamega County. 

The initiative is aimed at integrating local farmers and educating them on the importance of various agricultural activities. This project is expected to extend beyond Kakamega County to the entire western region of Kenya.

Fred Ogalla, a representative from the agribusiness consulting firm East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA), spoke during a session held in Kakamega town with Village-Based Farm Advisors from Mumias East Constituency. Ogalla emphasized that FIPs’ primary goal is to support farmers by ensuring they have easy access to critical agricultural information.

"Meeting the Village-Based Advisors from Mumias East Sub-County is a strategic move to share a cooperative development model that we will be launching in the next few weeks," Ogalla explained.

Ogalla further highlighted that the main objective of the cooperative is to support farmers by providing them with access to information, farm inputs, and markets, all aimed at enhancing income generation in an organized manner.

"If the cooperative society is successfully developed, it will play a pivotal role in the region, including creating employment opportunities for the youth," Ogalla added.

He encouraged farmers across the county to remain dedicated as preparations for the cooperative's launch progress. The initiative will be inclusive, catering to crop producers, dairy farmers, and anyone involved in agricultural activities.

Ogalla also pointed out the challenges that cooperatives face in Kenya, particularly in the western region, where many have collapsed a few months after their inception due to poor management and lack of farmer engagement.

"According to our statistics, many cooperatives in the country fail due to poor management and lack of farmer sensitivity. I want to encourage everyone to take advantage of the cooperative we are starting here in Kakamega in early October to increase our income," Ogalla concluded.

The meeting was also attended by Wesley Isaac, the Programming Officer in Kakamega County, who supported Ogalla’s statements. Isaac advised farmers to seize this opportunity.

"I am proud of the upcoming launch in the county, and I encourage farmers and our unemployed youth to start early agricultural practices so that after the launch, our farm products are prioritized," Isaac remarked alongside Karen Asinza.