The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) will provide two million mango seedlings to farmers in the Kerio Valley for planting in the coming rainy season.
The managing director Sammy Naporos said the planting of the mangoes and other types of fruits like citrus will promote agro forestry in the area which will see farmers earn an income and at the same time conserve the environment.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich however said this time the department of agriculture will be strict on those who will receive the seedlings saying it’s unfortunate that some farmers do not tend to the seedlings, leaving them to wither and die.
“It’s sad that an organization like KVDA uses millions of shillings to provide grafted mango seedlings to farmers but the same goes to waste,” the governor said.
Rotich said this time round, farmers will be required to register by filling a form which will be used by agricultural officers for supervision and anyone who will not have met certain conditions will not receive any seedlings.
He called on farmers to fence their farms and especially where they plant the seedlings to protect them from being destroyed by animals.
The governor urged institutions especially primary and secondary schools to ensure they get the seedlings saying once they mature they will earn them an income which will fund some of the schools’ operations thus reducing the financial burden on parents.
The two were speaking at Cheptarit primary school in Emsoo ward of Keiyo North Sub County during the commissioning of a community borehole funded by KVDA.
Noting that the sinking of the borehole was part of the drought mitigation measures, the KVDA Chairman Mark Chesergon called on residents to use the water to promote food security in the arid area.
The borehole with a capacity to produce 3.5 cubic meters per hour will provide water to 300 households and the nearby shopping centre, two primary schools and livestock.
The governor said provision of water both for domestic and irrigation will result in the growth of trading centres in the area and creation of jobs through agriculture.
He called on the national government to fast track the revival of both Kimwarer and Arror dams saying they will be a game changer as the Kerio Valley has great potential in food production.
Earlier, KVDA and the county government signed a memorandum of understanding to promote peace and food security through establishment of irrigation schemes and water harvesting projects to support livelihoods in the Kerio Valley.
The organization also donated food stuff from its Weiwei project to be distributed to the 11 special needs schools in the county.
By Alice Wanjiru
