Stakeholders meet to strategize on how to strengthen Co-operative

By Bob Aston

Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society, Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) and Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) held a joint meeting on March 25, 2014 at Sipili Catholic Hall to strategize on how to strengthen the Co-operative.

Anthony Mugo addressing co-operative members

The Co-operative which was registered last year currently has more than 250 active members. ALIN through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre, with support from the Ford Foundation, initiated the formation of the Co-operative.

Speaking during the meeting, Anthony Mugo, ALIN Deputy Director said that they are happy with the progress of the Co-operative. Anthony said that there is a lot of goodwill on the Co-operative leadership.

Anthony gave a brief introduction of ALIN, saying that they strive to improve the livelihoods of arid lands communities through delivery of practical information using modern technologies. He said that ALIN wants to see how the co-operative can be included in the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP).

“The co-operation and goodwill exhibited by the co-operative members is exemplary. We want to strengthen the Co-operative and that is why we have come here with SNV so that they can listen to what you have to say,” said Anthony.

Sam Mwangi, Team Leader Community Empowerment-ALIN said that farmers cannot succeed if they do not put a lot of emphasis on Kilimo Biashara. He said that demo plots that will be established will help farmers as they will be able to gain knowledge through the farms.

David Makongo addressing co-operative members

“Co-operative officials have really worked hard. There is transparency in the co-operative and as ALIN we are proud of that,” said Mwangi.

ALIN is currently offering advisory support services, capacity building, information access and empowerment to the members of the Co-operative.

Waweru Kanja, Chairman Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society thanked ALIN for initiating the formation of the Co-operative. Kanja said that farmers have started enjoying the benefits of the Co-operative as they are now getting farm inputs through the Co-operative.

Kanja informed members of the co-operative that they are now partnering with Kenya Seed Company Ltd to supply farmers with certified hybrid seeds.

“We have so far bought 16 tonnes of maize seeds while the National Cereal and Produce Board has issued the Co-operative with 100 bags of subsidized government fertilizer,” said Kanja.

Kanja said that they are also partnering with the East Africa Grain Council to see how they can get warehouse Receipt System.

David Makongo, a Business Development Advisor with SNV said that they had come to listen to the co-operative members on how they can strengthen it.

Sam Mwangi addressing co-operative members

David said that SNV wants the co-operative members to be able to sell farm produce to schools through Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

“We want to reduce poverty through helping farmers improve their livelihood. We have come here to enable you sell your produce to schools,” said David.

“Farmers have the capacity to provide food for schools. We want to cover school feeding program through structured market,” added David.

The Co-operative members went through Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis. They were informed that the SWOT analysis will guide the capacity building process. The members were told that addressing weaknesses in the co-operative will help to strengthen it.

SNV, ALIN and Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society decided on April 8, 2014 when they will roll out various training to farmers.