The registration exercise for subsidized fertilizer by farmers in Homa Bay recorded low turnout in the County.
Area Assistant Chief Salim Nyaoke said that the failure of farmers to show up in large numbers and register for the subsidy has been a challenge and asked for extension of the exercise until later in the month.
“The major challenge we are facing is that most people have taken this activity for granted during this time when they all need to come out in large numbers and identify themselves with the system,” he said.
The chief noted that the fertilizer would help to increase food production which in turn will boost residents’ income.
He said there was a problem with farmers who had large pieces of land outside their villages but wanted to be part of the process. “It was a bit challenging but we managed to handle the situation,” said the administrator.
Among the guidelines for the registration exercise require a farmer to identify a parcel of land in his or her area of residence.
The chief pointed out that the government subsidy programme will enhance farming by improving yields and therefore ensure food security. He asked farmers register in time so that they can benefit from the subsidy during the time of disbursement.
The exercise which commenced two weeks ago was carried out by chiefs using digital gadgets where information was fed into an Open Data Kit system after being recorded on hard copy to enhance accountability.
The data included farmers’ names, identity card numbers, location, nearest trading center and farm acreage.
By Violet Atieno and Sitna Omar
