The County government of Murang’a has rolled out a programme of distributing hybrid maize seeds to local farmers.
More than 250,000 households within the county are targeted to get the certified seeds to plant in the current rain season in an effort to boost food security.
Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has underscored the programme which the county administration has been doing once annually saying in the past seasons many households were able to produce enough maize for domestic consumption.
The programme, which started during Wa Iria’s first term as the county governor, enabled local farmers to increase production of maize and stop relying on relief food.
Speaking when he launched the programme at Gatanga Sub County on Monday, the governor said all farmers who registered with the offices of agriculture will get the seeds.
“This programme has helped our people from relying on food donations for the past years as maize production in the county since we started giving out certified hybrid seeds.
This year, farmers will also get maize seeds to plant during the long rains and after the county administration will also distribute fertilizer for top-dressing to boost maize production.” He added.
The county government, this time had procured 560, 000 kilos of certified hybrid maize seeds where every farmer is expected to get at least two kilograms.
The meteorological department had forecasted many parts of the county will receive near to average rainfall with the governor saying they considered the type of seeds which are best for various climatic conditions of the county.
Farmers from Lower parts of the county were issued with a variety of maize seeds which can withstand harsh climatic conditions.
A section of farmers welcomed the seed programme but said this time the county government delayed in giving out the seeds.
Majority said they had already planted at the onset of the long rains in early April saying they will keep the seeds for next rainy season.
Joseph Kang’ethe observed that he will plant the seeds in part of his farm where he can do irrigation. “I had already planted by the beginning of the rainy season but I have part of my farm where I can still plant the maize and do irrigation.” He added.
He urged the county administration to consider giving out fertilizer for top-dressing complaining that the majority of farmers could not access subsidized fertilizer which is being sold through NCPB.
By Bernard Munyao
