EU donates sh16bn for agriculture #kenya

THE European Union has committed Sh16 billions
towards agriculture, research and rural
development in Kenya. The head of the EU
delegation to Kenya Lodewijk Briet said the funds
will also support nutrition in arid and semi-arid
areas.
Speaking on Friday at Katangini village in Shimba
Hills where he inspected EU funded tsetse fly
technology research facilities, Briet said the goal is
to contribute to Vision 2030's objective of
addressing food insecurity.
"The EU has a long term engagement with the
national research institutions like Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute, Coffee Research
Foundation and Kenya Sugar Research
Foundation," he said. Briet said similar support
has been extended to regional and continental
research bodies such as the Africa Union and
International Center of Insect physiology and
Ecology .
ICIPE is conducting research on tsetse fly repellent
technology in Shimba Hills. The ICIPE has been at
the forefront of the innovative research that the
EU has supported to the tune of Sh1.2 billion.
"The tsetse fly project was one of the most
successful and important research that we
funded. We anticipate for future collaboration
with ICIPE although funding for the project is
over so that we can together address the needs
of rural poor and vulnerable in Kenya," Briet said.
Kwale county executive officer for Agriculture
Johanne Nyamasyo said that they will support
farmers to embrace beneficial technology.