COUNTY GOVERNMENT ON COURSE TO FULLY SUPPORT COOPERATIVES
The County Government of Busia through the Department of Trade, Cooperatives, and Industries is committed to ensuring that all cooperative societies in the county are fully supported and strengthened to feed into the ward-based Economic Revitalization Agenda to address the sustainable development goal 1- Poverty Eradication.
While hosting a multisectoral delegation on a fact-finding mission on behalf of TRADEMARK AFRICA to evaluate the progress of projects and assess the viability and sustainability of local cooperatives involved in production and value addition in Busia County, CECM the Department of Trade, Cooperatives, and Industries Omuse Olakachuna stated that there is a missing link to the transformation of cooperatives in Western region. He attributed this to the negative and poor attitude and mismanagement of cooperatives.
He noted that they have considered policy frameworks, such as the Cooperative Bill to regulate and guide several malpractices in the cooperatives.
Busia County has 14,8000 farmers federated into different cooperatives and the County Government in collaboration with other partners has continued to create linkages for market access and affordable inputs through subsidized programs.
The delegation comprised representatives from Strathmore University, Cooperative Bank, TradeMark Africa, and Agriculture experts.
Among the projects visited included Simba Chai Cassava factory and Luanda ginnery which were once funded by UNIDO and TradeMark Africa.
The visit reviewed the impact and effectiveness of various initiatives supported by the United National Industrial Development Organization- UNIDO and TradeMark Africa, emphasizing cooperatives that enhance agricultural productivity and value addition. Key areas of scrutiny included project outcomes, resource management, and the long-term sustainability of these cooperatives.
The findings from this mission are set to inform future funding decisions and strategies, ensuring that investments continue to support growth and innovation in the agriculture and trade sectors in Busia County.
Also present were the Chief Officer Elijah Mwaro, and Director Cooperatives Joshua Akwara.
Delegation- Dr. Andrew Idewa- TradeMark Africa, Mary Achini- Cooperative bank, Prof. Geroge Njenga and Mercy Kinoti- Strathmore University, Davis Chele- Consultant Today’s Agirc and Dockens Marshall- VDA Global LTD.