USAID LAUNCHES PROJECT IN MAKUENI COUNTY.

USAID has launched a local Food Systems project dubbed ‘Feed the Future’, a U.S Government Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.

The project will be implemented by a consortium of organisations led by Technoserve. Technoserve Chief of Party, Elizabeth Eckert made the announcement when a delegation from USAID Kenya and East Africa met Makueni Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in his office on Friday.

Eckert said the key areas to be covered in the project include nutrition, building up resilience for farmers and increasing profitability and diversity among small-scale traders.

The project will run for five years, until 2029.

Technoserve has already deployed staff to the county headquarters in Wote and said they hope the project will positively impact the lives of Makueni residents.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed the partnership and hailed USAID for choosing Makueni to be among 22 Counties involved in the project. He noted that USAID was also involved in other projects in Makueni notably in the water sector under its STAWI project. The governor encouraged the USAID to help address issues of malnutrition in the county affecting children below 2 years noting that the issue of food storage was critical in addressing food security.

Agriculture CECM, Joyce Mutua said the ‘Feed the Future Project’ would help residents as 47 per cent of households in Makueni were food insecure.

Others present were Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili, Trade CECM, Dr. Sonia Nzilani and Titus among others.