The State Department of Industry will construct a cotton ginnery in West Ugenya, Siaya county, Principal Secretary Mr. Juma Mukhwana has said.
Mukhwana said that once the ginnery is established at Bar Anyali in Masat East Sub Location, the ministry will also establish related industries to process cotton by-products such as animal feeds and oil.
He was speaking at Bar Anyali grounds when he presided over the distribution of cotton seeds worth Sh14 million to farmers from Ugenya constituency. The PS was flanked by Siaya governor, James Orengo and area member of parliament, David Ochieng.
Mukhwana said that the government was committed to improving the lives of its citizens and urged local residents to embrace cotton farming.
He said that those who venture into cotton farming will be provided with free seeds and pesticides, adding that there was a ready market for the crop.
Mukhwana said that the ministry of industry has more than doubled the money set aside for purchase of seeds for distribution to farmers from the current Sh200 million to Sh500 million in the next budget hence assuring the farmers that seeds will not be a problem.
Addressing the occasion, Siaya governor, James Orengo expressed the commitment of his government to support cotton farming, saying that the county must have at least one cash crop.
Orengo however said that the locals will have to embrace modern farming to realize positive results of agribusiness.
“There is no future in modern economy if we will continue using traditional forms of agriculture. We must modernize and use certified seeds, fertilizer and prober agricultural husbandry,” said governor Orengo.
Ugenya Member of Parliament, David Ochieng thanked the government for accepting to put up a ginnery in his constituency, adding that this was proof that the current regime means well for the whole country.
Ochieng urged Ugenya residents to go back to cotton farming adding that this will enable them to improve their socio-economic status.
By Philip Onyango
