Homa Bay strengthens SACCO governance through Two-Day NAVCDP Grant Management Training

By Bernard Oketch

Homa Bay County Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Development, together with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), has successfully concluded a two-day capacity-building training for SACCO leaders on Inclusion Grant and Matching Grant implementation. The training reinforced efforts to promote accountability, sound financial management and effective delivery of agricultural development interventions.

The training brought together SACCO chairpersons, secretaries and supervisory committee chairpersons representing 21 wards under the Inclusion Grant programme and 14 wards under the Matching Grant programme. The sessions focused on strengthening institutional governance and equipping SACCO leadership with the knowledge and practical skills required to manage grant resources in accordance with established guidelines and safeguard the interests of beneficiary farmers.

Key areas covered included revised grant implementation guidelines, technical assistance and commitment forms, budget utilisation, credit policies, loan application and approval procedures for individuals and groups, as well as the disbursement of Matching Grant loans through Business-to-Customer (B2C) integration and monitoring of Portfolio at Risk (PAR). Participants also received guidance on Management Information Systems (MIS), dashboard mobilisation, internet connectivity requirements, and the allocation of the Community-Driven Development Committee (CDDC) under the Matching Grant framework.

The training also covered cross-cutting safeguards, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), grievance redress mechanisms, and referral pathways, underscoring the importance of inclusive, safe, and transparent project implementation.

The capacity-building initiative is expected to strengthen SACCO accountability structures, improve compliance with NAVCDP requirements and enhance the prudent utilisation of grant funds to deliver sustainable benefits to farmers in Homa Bay.