Inadequate access to capital and affordable credit is to blame for the low agricultural productivity in Siaya, area Deputy Governor, Dr James Ouko Okumbe, has said.
Siaya County Government in collaboration with the National Government and other stakeholders has come up with programmes that aim at assisting local farmers to access credit and invest in climate smart agricultural development.
Speaking while presiding over the distribution of cheques worth Sh 98 million to 140 micro projects in Siaya town, Dr Okumbe said the support will ensure increased productivity and help build resilience to climate shocks.
“These investment grants are meant to support farmer groups in adoption and implementation of climate smart agriculture technologies, innovations and management practices, livelihood diversification and improving nutrition,” he said.
Dr Okumbe said that Siaya County Government has, since the financial year 2019/2020, supported 124 micro projects worth Sh 69million.
“These funds supported community farmer groups with key farm inputs and equipment, among them fertiliser, certified sorghum seed, green gram, improved chicks, fingerlings, poultry feeds, bee hives, irrigation kits and other assorted equipment,” he said.
The Deputy Governor called on the beneficiaries to ensure prudent utilisation of the funds in order to increase food supply in the county so that Siaya becomes food secure.
By Philip Onyango
