Bungoma County government has kick-started distribution of free farm inputs programme to vulnerable farmers to cushion them against food insecurity.
Speaking at Bumula football stadium on Monday during its launch, Governor Ken Lusaka said that he was fulfilling his campaign pledges through food production to fix poverty.
“Majority of our people are living in poverty because they lack money to purchase fertilizer and seeds. The programme initiated is meant to help farmers have food for use and surplus to sell,” he said.
Lusaka further warned the beneficiaries against selling the free farm inputs but instead use it to produce more food for use and surplus for sale.
“I want to warn those thinking of making money from the farm inputs we are distributing of dire consequences if found. The farm input is meant to cushion farmers who can’t afford money to purchase them,” warned Lusaka.
Lusaka noted that the county was experiencing food shortage saying the only way to curb it is to empower farmers to increase food production.
“As a county, we are committed to support our farmers to ensure we attain the food security and wipe out seasons of hunger that is witnessed frequently,” said Lusaka.
He issued free maize seeds and fertilizer to 21,900 vulnerable farmers with 500 benefiting in each of the 45 Wards across the County.
Lusaka assured Bungoma farmers of his commitment to bettering their lives through affordable farm inputs to increase agricultural production and enhance food security.
“My administration has farmers’ interests at heart. The only tool of empowering them to economic self-reliance is through agriculture and food value chain addition,” he said.
The governor announced that his administration will establish food processing plants to increase production and create job opportunities for the residents.
The farm input subsidy exercise as devolved in all the 9 Sub Counties targets poor households and vulnerable farmers who have been vetted accordingly.
In the subsidy programme, each farmer will receive 2 bags of 50kgs both planting and top dressing. Each farmer is set to receive a 10kg bag of maize seeds.
He also stated that in the financial year 2023/2024 budget, his government will factor in the purchase of dairy cows to be distributed to women and youth groups across the 45 wards to increase milk production.
Governor Lusaka promised to compensate them, adding that the input incentives given to them is already insured hence in case of any calamity, they will be compensated.
“We want to see the production of 394,000 sacks of maize produced to fight food insecurity, this is one of the noble programmes that should be supported fully,” he said.
Lusaka stated that plans were underway to revive the soil testing machine and tractors for land till which were spoilt during the last regime.
According to the Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany affirmed that distribution of free farm input was a sure way of increasing food production.
“When the county government is issuing out free fertilizer and seeds, prepare your land on time as a way of having enough food to promote development. This is the only way we will be supporting each other,” she pleaded.
“As a government, we will initiate small projects to empower grass root people. We will fulfill our campaign pledges to ensure our people benefit a lot,” said Mbatiany
By Douglas Mudambo
