To fortify economic growth and enhance the forest cover in the region, the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet has distributed 50,000 fruit seedlings across three key Wards.
The distribution, a part of Governor Wisley Rotich’s Kilimo Biashara program, aims to empower residents and elevate household earnings through agricultural initiatives.
The seedlings, consisting of 20,000 tomato seedlings and 30,000 cypresses, were allocated to farmers in Kabiemit Ward in Keiyo South Sub County, Lelan Ward in Marakwet West, and Kapyego Ward in Marakwet East Sub-County.
Speaking on the initiative, Jason Lagat, the County Executive Committee Member for Environment, Water, and Climate Change, emphasized the program’s alignment with Governor Rotich’s vision of ensuring each household has enough food to eat and improved economic prospects for every family. This tree distribution is a pivotal step towards combating poverty,” Lagat stated.
The timing of the distribution has been praised by the residents, coinciding with the current rainfall across various parts of the county. Acknowledging the significance of this endeavor, Peter Biwott, a farmer from the Chemoson sub-location in Lelan Ward, emphasized the immediate and long-term benefits of this initiative.
“The arrival of the seedlings is a timely boost. It will not only generate income but also ensure a steady supply of fruits for our families,” Biwott remarked.
The program’s implementation was facilitated by the identification and organization of farmers in a comprehensive database. This step aims to streamline decision-making processes and facilitate easier identification for potential investors.
Isaac Koech, the Chief Officer in the Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change, assured residents of similar forthcoming programs in other wards.
“Today, Kabiemit, Kapyego, and Lelan had their share. In the days ahead, we will extend the distribution of fruit and tree seedlings across the remaining wards. The objective is to ensure no ward is excluded from this beneficial initiative,” Koech affirmed.
Moreover, the county authorities have ambitious plans to distribute over 100,000 avocado and 300,000 cypress trees in the following week, with a broader aim to plant more than 500,000 fruit trees in all 13 wards by the end of November.
Local leaders, including MCAs Priscilla Kurgat from Lelan and Joseph Chebet from Kapyego Ward, lauded Governor Rotich for his vision and proactive measures.
“This is an encouraging step. The collaborative efforts with external partners for the seedlings reflect the commitment of our governor,” expressed Chebet.
As the county looks forward to expanding this initiative, the local government encourages ongoing tree planting, capitalizing on the current favorable weather conditions to further fortify the region’s agricultural and environmental landscape.
By Rennish Okong’o
