USAID and Strathmore Business School have partnered on a program is a 5-year Partnership to build capacity through the training of Cooperatives in 7 -selected counties of Busia,Isiolo Nakuru,Kakamega,Makueni, Kilifi and Kisumu to promote the Ward Cooperative business model in priority value chains under Bottoms-up Transformation Agenda, BETA.

The PS, who was represented by Mr. Samuel Kiptoo, Assistant Commissioner of Co-operatives and Governor Busia County, H.E. Paul Otuoma were the chief guests on the inauguration of Busia training.

This collaboration between Strathmore University Business School and USAID to build the capacity of Cooperatives and other private sector players in carefully selected 7 counties will augur very well with the government’s effort to promote and transform agriculture through cooperative business model

Mr. Kiptoo said that the government is now promoting the agricultural value chains through cooperatives as enablers and aggregators, for example the government plan is to increase national annual cotton production from the current baseline of 20,000 bales to over 100,000 bales by 2027 to meet the demand for textile mills and reduce the import bill for lint.

“Through our Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), we are committed to supporting agricultural production, value addition, and local industries to create more opportunities and improve the livelihoods of Kenyan citizens” He said.

The government, through the Ministry for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, is dedicated to supporting the development of all economic sectors in Kenya.

This support includes financial assistance, market access, and training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge to the members.