Animal husbandry
The Goat Rearing Programme (GRP) was initiated by a divine mandate in 2018 to help the needy widows without any livestock to own a goat. This is aimed at promoting small livestock-based venture in which the beneficiaries (widows) would start to build small-scale livestock capacities to empower their future economic self-reliance. Over 35 goats have been distributed free-of-charge to the beneficiaries, and the first batch of the first kids have been ploughed back into the programme, as first-fruits, to be redistributed to the new members on the waiting list.
One of the women groups also introduced poultry rearing to equally benefit all the members regardless of whether one owns any livestock or not. The coops (chicken houses) are based at the individual members’ homesteads due to their small sizes for easier management. This is also important in reducing rate of the likely infections and consequent losses in case of outbreaks, whereas the guano provide nutrient-rich manure for gardening.
Sugarcane farming
The group members took rigorous training in large-scale sugarcane farming and have now actualised the idea, with the help of our local Coordinator and West Kenya Sugar Company Limited. The groups now have over three acres of sugarcane plantation that is to expanded sevenfold and sustained in the next seven years. The expected higher quality annual bumper harvest will ensure financial return on investment, security, and reduction of poverty through dividends.
Bee-keeping (Apiculture)
Bee-keeping facility (apiary) capable of holding twenty hives has been established at the foothills with 10 hives fully populated by bees. This will soon be expanded to the full capacity of twenty hives. The proceeds from the honey will boost the income which will always be shared equally among the Groups to improve their income.