About 330 small scale farmers from Busia County have benefitted from Sh4 million Agricultural Development Fund.
This is to help them boost their livestock, agriculture, fisheries and agri-business.
Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong presided over the issuance of cheques to the beneficiaries drawn from all the wards across the county.
The event was held at Elwanikha Primary School in Bukhayo East Ward.
The Governor said the revolving fund was introduced in 2015 to carter for rural farmers who cannot afford bank loans due to high interest rates and lack of collateral.
“A total of 1,150 farmers have benefitted from the fund since 2015 to the tune of Sh45million. We intend to build it to at least Sh1billion and register all small scale farmers who qualify to get the fund,” he said.
The Governor said the World Bank is ready to fund such projects as long as the recipients are serious and repay the money.
Busia County CEC for Agriculture Dr. Moses Osia said Busia is the only county out of 47 that is utilizing the ADF funds.
The first beneficiary of the fund in 2016, Kennedy Mugata said he used the money on Kuroiler Poultry farming which has improved his montly earnings.
ADF Board chair George Ekisa and Fund Administrator Benjamin Onyancha said the fund is experiencing some challenges since some farmers are unable to repay back promptly.