Laikipia Produce and Marketing cooperative set to hold second AGM

By Bob Aston

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society is set to hold its second Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 28, 2015 from 10:00 am at Sipili Catholic Church Hall, Ol-Moran Ward in Laikipia West.

Mr. Kanja Waweru, Chairman, Laikipia Produce and Marketing Co-operative Society has urged members to turn up in large numbers during the AGM so that they can plan for 2015 and part of 2016.

“We expect to present to the members the audited financial reports for 2013 and 2014. We also want the members to appoint 2015 auditors and we also have to plan for the cooperative election,” said Mr. Kanja.

The Laikipia Produce and Marketing cooperative society emerged from the work undertaken by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) through Ng’arua Maarifa Centre with the support of the Ford Foundation’s Expanding Livelihoods for Poor Households Initiative (ELOPHI). It is a vehicle for bulking, marketing and trading in farm commodities and other products and services.

The cooperative members during an earlier meeting

It was started in the year 2013 by farmers from Laikipia West Sub County in Laikipia County. The Society is located in Sipili market where it has a rented store for inputs and purchase of maize.

Mr. Kanja noted that although the cooperative is still young they have managed to achieve a lot. He said that the support provided to the cooperative by partners that include; ALIN, SNV- Netherlands Development Organization, Kilimo Biashara Profilers, Eastern Africa Grain Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock has enabled the cooperative to undertake a lot of activities on behalf of the members.

“ We intend to become a leading  farmer   based organization,   increasing  the  wealth  ,food and  nutritional  security  of   small holder  farmers  in  Laikipia  County by empowering smallholder farmers with skills to aggregate farm produce and become agribusiness oriented,” said Mr. Kanja.

On behalf of ALIN we would like to welcome all the registered members of Laikipia Produce and Marketing Cooperative Society to the AGM which will be held at Sipili Catholic Church Hall on April 28, 2015 from 10:00 am. The AGM will be graced by among others Laikipia West cooperative officer and ALIN.