Murang’a County plans to use Sh100 million in a programme aimed at boosting maize farming.
The enlisted farmers in the programme are earmarked to get certified seeds and fertiliser targeted to increase maize yields, especially in lower parts of the county which are favourable for maize farming.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata noted on Sunday that in every ward, the county government will register at least 500 maize farmers who will benefit from the programme slated to kick off in October this year.
Meeting farmers from Kiru Ward at Rurii grounds, Kang’ata said his administration has partnered with a local miller so as to provide a market for their maize.
“In the programme, the registered farmers will get certified maize seeds and fertiliser to increase production. My administration has signed a partnership with Joy Millers, which has promised to purchase a 90-kilo sack of maize for Sh3,500.
The farmers will be at liberty to sell to the miller or get other buyers for their produce. Our aim is to commercialise maize farming in Murang’a,” explained Kang’ata.
He observed that farmers in the county have been producing maize for subsistence consumption, saying that with support, maize production will go up, thus allowing farmers to sell the surplus.
“Agricultural extension officers will be deployed to educate farmers on best practices, which will see an increase in maize production.
Maize farming has been affected by fall armyworms, thus reducing production, and with experts, farmers will get assistance and prevent their crops from being destroyed by diseases,” he added.
Murang’a County has three ecological zones, whereby in the upper parts, farmers rely on tea farming, and in the middle zones, farmers grow coffee and some subsistence crops. Maize and beans are mostly grown in the lower parts of the county.
A farmer from Kamacharia Ward, Peter Mwangi, observed that the county has good climatic conditions for maize farming, saying the programme initiated by the county government will help the farmers attain food security at the domestic level.
“Murang’a, despite its potential in maize production, has been a net importer of the commodity, and the programme by the county government will go a long way in boosting food security,” said Mwangi.
Millicent Ngonyo, a resident of Ithanga, said the available tracts of land in the lower parts of the county can be converted to maize plantations similar to those in Rift Valley.
“The maize programme is noble as the local farmers will exploit their potentials and make a living from the sale of the produce to the millers,” remarked Ms. Ngonyo.
Kiru MCA Morris Thuku, on his part, said the local county assembly is in full support of the maize programme, saying that once implemented, it will alleviate many families from poverty.
He said that as MCAs, they will ensure the funds allocated for the programme are utilised prudently so as to guarantee farmers access to the required inputs to increase production.
“We appreciate the many projects the county administration is doing, cutting across the sectors of agriculture, health, and youth, among others. With effective implementation of the projects, the living standards of the locals will be improved,” noted the MCA, who is also the assembly’s chief whip.
By Bernard Munyao and Anita Omwenga
