Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has launched the distribution of subsidized farm inputs consisting of fertilizer and maize seeds in readiness for this year’s planting season.
The county government procured a total of 240,000, 50 kilogramme bags of subsidized fertilizer and 130,000, 2 kilogramme packets of subsidized maize seeds worth Sh713 million.
Speaking at Ikolomani during the launch of the exercise, Governor Barasa said a 50 kilogramme of planting fertilizer would retail at Sh2,816 while the one meant for topdressing would be sold at a subsidized price of Sh2,693.
He noted that the county government would supply a 2 kilogramme packet of subsidized maize seed at Sh300 to registered farmers.
“The farm inputs are available in all the Ward Administrators offices,” he said urging Administrators and Community area councils to ensure farmers in respective wards get the inputs.
Governor Barasa spearheaded the distribution exercise of the farm inputs worth Sh33 million, Sh41.3 million and Sh33 million in Ikolomani, Butere and Khwisero constituencies respectively. The exercise will continue in all the 12 sub counties of Kakamega.
The subsidy programme was introduced in the 2014/2015 financial year during the reign of Wycliffe Oparanya, the first Governor of Kakamega.
According to Governor Barasa, the subsidy programme has led to an increase in maize production in the county from as low as 8bags per acre to the current 14 bags per acre.
He said the county government has further allocated over Sh10billion to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives through the 2023-2027 County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) to improve economic wellbeing and livelihoods of people of Kakamega through farming and farming enterprises.
By Moses Wekesa and Whitney Busolo
