Siaya County government has procured 72 tons of fertilizer for distribution to farmers at subsidized rates to increase food production, county executive committee member for agriculture Sylvester K’okoth has said.
According to K’okoth, the devolved government has also procured 40 tons of maize seed for distribution to farmers across the six constituencies in the county.
Speaking at Karemo chief’s camp in Siaya during the distribution of seeds, K’okoth said that the county was targeting 10,500 farmers under its agricultural subsidy programme.
Under the programme, he said, the agriculture department is selling certified maize seeds at Sh400 per two-kilogram packet and a 10-kilogram bag of top-dressing fertilizer at Sh600.
He said that his department was also giving out three tons of sorghum seeds and 2.5 tons of green gram seeds.
The CECM said the James Orengo-led county government has allocated about Sh30 million towards the subsidy programme this financial year and urged farmers to take advantage of the initiative to enhance food security across the region.
Farmers led by Irene Ojwang’ and Albert Kuodi expressed gratitude to the county government for the support.
By Philip Onyango