The Mountain Journal
Murang’a county government has distributed the much awaited Inua Mkulima cards, and unveiled outlets where dairy and mango farmers listed in the subsidy programme can redeem goodies.
In the subsidy programme, the farmers affiliated to the cooperative societies can use the cards to access food stuffs, farm inputs from the 89 selected outlets.
Photo/Governor Irungu Kang’ata
Speaking in Kahuro market when he launched issuance of Inua Mkulima cards, Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the outlets contracted underwent an extensive vetting, to prove they have the capacity to serve the 42,000 farmers listed in the programme
“ Only farmers who supply their produce through the cooperative society are able to benefit from the subsidy programme,” said the governor.
He explained that from October this year the holders of the cards will be able pay school fees for their children and medical bills.
“This is a milestone to ensure the farmers will access the goodies they need away from the past programme where money was credited into their bank account,” said Kang’ata.
Peter Kamau hailed the Inua Mkulima card as the most transparent as only those registered under the county government will have access to the kitty.
Photo/ A farmers at Kahuro who redeemed goodies from a shop through Inua Mkulima card.
Kamau, a dairy farmer with Kahuro Breeders says the programme will help many of the families to access food stuffs from the local shops.
“This is a programme that has connected the farmers with the shopkeepers as we shall have access to agro vet products highly required by our animals to sustain milk production,” said Kamau.
In Kiru ward, the farmers under the programme redeemed goodies worth Sh542,020 where the majority spent Sh220,880 for the purchase of dairy meal for their dairy cows.
Kiru MCA Morris Thuku said the programme was designed to help the farmers in access the much needed
In a tabulation, Sh 5,010 was spent in purchase of maize flour, sh20,570 on mineral salt and Sh14,800 on livestock dewormers.
“ The programme is a game changer as the farmers will benefit alot through access of the goodies in their villages,” said Thuku.
