The Government through the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade and Industrialisation have earmarked 17 tons of cotton seed for distribution to farmers in Busia County.
Distribution of cotton seed is part of measures to implement the government strategy to revive Kenyan textile manufacturing by availing enough raw material for textile industry.
Addressing the press during the flagging off of the consignment at Busia Agricultural Training Centre, State Department for Industrialisation Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana said that the seeds worth Sh45 million will be enough to plant 13,000 acres of land compared to 8,000 acres that was planted in the County last year.
Dr Mukhwana pointed out that the country was growing only 5,000 acres of cotton until 2022 adding that the acreage was increased to 40,000 last year.
“This year, our target is 103,000 acres countrywide and we have identified 24 counties across the country that are suitable for cotton production, he said adding that seeds have been distributed in Migori, Homa bay and Siaya with Bungoma slated for Thursday. He stated that the government has imported 50 tons of cotton seed from Togo adding that 200 more tons of cotton seed are expected from Benin before the end of April this year.
“Our target for the next two years is to grow 300,000 acres across the country,” he said adding that the government is also targeting Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni and Kitui.
He added that four more ginneries are under construction in Homa bay, Baringo, Kwale and Lamu.
The PS further said that the government has increased the price of cotton from Sh52 to Sh72 per kilogram yet there was still great shortage of the crop.
“Our remit is to encourage farmers to take this crop seriously,” he said adding that both the County and National governments have already laid down structures required for cotton growing.
Busia County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture George Mukok urged farmers to use the seeds appropriately.
Mukok stated that the seeds will be distributed free to farmers beginning with the staff from the County government.
“Last year we did a pilot and now we want to expand it across the entire County,” he said adding that the County leadership has already signed an agreement with Rivatex which is pricing it at Sh72 per kilogram instead of Sh52.
He added that the County managed to grow slightly over 5,000 acres of the crop during the pilot period last year up from the 200 acres it used to handle previously.
“One of the major challenges has been the seeds and now that we have received it, we should focus on financing Agriculture, mechanization and linking farmers to the market,” he said.
Seven point five tons of cotton seed has already been availed to Busia with the remaining consignment of 10 tons to be delivered within two weeks from Rivatex.
By Salome Alwanda and Victoria Magar
