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Taita Taveta County launches grassroots committees for agricultural development

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock Production, Irrigation, Cooperative Development, and Blue Economy Eric Kyongo engages with local residents on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Thursday, July 4, 2024

These committees are designed to foster increased community involvement, uphold accountability, and ensure the sustainable management of agricultural resources.

Taita Taveta's Department of Agriculture, Livestock Production, Irrigation, Cooperative Development, and Blue Economy (ALICO & BE), in collaboration with the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), has initiated the establishment of community structures aimed at enhancing the implementation of agricultural interventions at the grassroots level.

According to the county, the effort underscores its commitment to ensuring that agricultural and economic programmes are executed effectively and transparently.

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Central to this initiative is the formation of three pivotal committees; the Community-Driven Development Committee (CDDC), the Social Accountability and Integrity Committee (SAIC), and the Landscape Management Committee (LMC).

These committees are designed to foster increased community involvement, uphold accountability, and ensure the sustainable management of agricultural resources.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock Production, Irrigation, Cooperative Development, and Blue Economy, Eric Kyongo, highlighted the significance of these committees in promoting transparency and community participation.

Taita Taveta's Department of Agriculture, Livestock Production, Irrigation, Cooperative Development, and Blue Economy (ALICO & BE), on Thursday, July 4, initiated the establishment of community structures aimed at enhancing the implementation of agricultural interventions at the grassroots level. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

"The formation of these committees is a critical step towards empowering our communities to actively participate in the development and implementation of agricultural projects. We hope to promote transparency, integrity, and sustainable management of our agricultural resources through the CDDC, SAIC, and LMC," Kyongo stated.

The CDDC will focus on involving local communities in decision-making processes, ensuring that development projects align with their needs and priorities, while the SAIC is tasked with monitoring the integrity and accountability of agricultural programmes and addressing any issues of mismanagement or corruption that may arise.

Meanwhile, the LMC will oversee the sustainable management of landscapes, ensuring that agricultural practices do not harm the environment and contribute to long-term ecological health.

The initiative is a response to the significant role agriculture plays in Taita Taveta County's economy.

With 80 per cent of the country's economy driven by agriculture, both the county and national governments have prioritised the sector to ensure its continued growth and sustainability.

The committees are set to operate across all wards in Taita Taveta County, providing a structured and localised approach to agricultural development.