Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has assured farmers in Uasin Gishu that the government has set aside funds to purchase maize through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) this season.
Speaking in Eldoret while on a tour of maize fields in Kiplombe Ward in Uasin Gishu County, the CS, who was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Kello Harsama (Crop development) and Jonathan Mueke (Livestock), also announced that the Government has acquired 100 mobile dryers that will assist farmers in drying their grain.
These dryers, Linturi said, will assist farmers in reducing post-harvest losses by ensuring that their maize is properly dried and stored. “The mobile dryers will enable farmers to preserve the quality of their maize and increase their income. This is a significant development, as post-harvest losses have been a major challenge for farmers in the past,” he added.
Linturi also assured the farmers of the government’s continued support in terms of providing resources, training, and access to markets. Farmers in the region have welcomed the decision by the government to set aside funds to buy their maize, saying it will provide them with a guaranteed market for their produce.
He also emphasised the need to involve the youth in agribusiness, saying agriculture presents numerous opportunities for young people to create wealth and contribute to the country’s development.
Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Edward Sawe praised the move by the government to set aside funds for the purchase of maize as well as the acquisition of the dryers, saying it will not only benefit the farmers financially but would also motivate them to continue investing in maize farming.
Sawe further praised the initiative to register farmers in Uasin Gishu County, saying doing so will help the county in the planning process, especially during the provision of subsidised fertiliser. “The registration of farmers will enable the county to gather accurate data about the number of farmers in the county, their farming practises, and the challenges they face,” he noted.
The registration process, he said, will also provide farmers with valuable information regarding the resources and support available to them.
“The data will be instrumental in formulating targeted policies and interventions as well as enabling the government to provide tailored support and services, such as extension services, agricultural inputs, and market access, based on the unique requirements of each farmer,” added Sawe.
He urged farmers to join cooperative societies, as they play a crucial role in supporting the growth and development of the agricultural sector by providing farmers with training, technical assistance, and market linkage opportunities.
By Kiptanui Cherono
