Kenya and Ghana have secured Ksh1.5 billion from the United States Department of State to enhance soil quality.
This financial boost comes hours after a Ksh38.8 billion acquisition from India aimed at boosting Kenya’s agricultural sector and modernizing its health sector.
In a statement, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said the funds that have been disbursed to both countries are earmarked for mapping soil fertility.
“The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed the announcement of an additional $10 million from the United States Department of State for projects mapping soil fertility in Ghana and Kenya to promote climate-smart agriculture and adaptation measures, resilient crops, fertilizer use efficiency, and soil health,” FAO stated.
FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo, said the financial support is expected to have a far-reaching impact on local farmers and communities.
“Not only will the additional funding from the United States bring the benefits of this project to smallholder farmers and their communities in two more countries, but it also underlines the vital role that healthy and fertile soils play in building resilience to the impacts of climate change and in transforming our agrifood systems,” Semedo stated.
Kenya bags Ksh38.3B from India
Earlier India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Ksh38.3 billion to Kenya to boost its agricultural sector and modernization of its health sector.
The funds which are earmarked for the modernization of Kenya’s agricultural practices, will focus on mechanization of agriculture and healthcare interventions.
In a statement shared by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, President William Ruto expressed gratitude for the support.
Ruto pledged to promptly embark on initiating projects that have been previously agreed upon to effectively utilize the financial support.
“I thank you, Prime Minister, for the consideration of the US$250 million for supporting Kenya in the space of agricultural mechanization and the whole space of vaccines and other interventions. I want to assure you that we will immediately embark on programs that have already been agreed on so that we can leverage this facility to provide much-needed services for the people of Kenya,” Ruto affirmed.
