The National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary (CS) Professor Njuguna Ndung’u has encouraged Murang’a farmers and industry players to fully utilize subsidy programmes being offered by the government.
Ndung’u on Sunday said subsidy programmes offer support to farmers towards increasing their production and add value to attract maximum returns.
Speaking during the launch of Murang’a County Government Guaranteed Minimum Return (GMR) Subsidy for mango and dairy sector at Gatunyu Field in Gatanga Constituency in Murang’a, the CS said that it is immensely encouraging that 86 percent of dairy farmers have already met the requisite conditions of the subsidy programme.
“So far 16,504 dairy farmers out of the potential 19,254 farmers have met the required conditions of the subsidy programme,” he said, adding that the county government is putting in place measures to ensure that the remaining 2,750 famers are not left behind in utilizing the subsidy support.
Ndung’u revealed that the same benefits are being felt in mango farming through targeted cooperative organization and sensitization strategy. “I wish to encourage all farmers to consolidate on these gains and be part of our national and regional transformation agenda,” he said.
The CS observed that the county has already put in place a well-established fertilizer subsidy and incentive fund to bolster GMR Subsidy for the mango and dairy sector and build up on the transformation agenda.
“This initiative is one of the most transformative agriculture revival strategies that will greatly transform the economic fortunes of Murang’a and its people,” said the CS.
He underscored the need of the county government to build on these agricultural investments by providing extra support in terms of technical assistance, and field extension services.
“Murang’a County takes the lead in launching GMR Subsidy for the mango and dairy sector,” he said adding that the government’s aim is subsidizing production and promoting food security.
Meanwhile, the CS reminded the farmers that climate change is a real threat to food security and nutrition, and hence they should diversify crop production by focusing on drought resistant crops such as sorghum, millet, sweet potatoes, cassava and other fruit trees for domestic and commercial purposes.
The CS said the national government is committed to supporting the county governments, farmers and stakeholders whenever it is called upon.
“I am confident that by working together, we shall transform our people and country,” said Ndung’u, adding that this initiative is a clear testimony of the government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
By Anita Omwenga
