Murang’a county government has procured tonnes of certified maize seeds for distribution to the local farmers in efforts to address food security.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata said farmers inability to afford certified seeds is the main bottleneck to Kenya’s food security, thus the county government stepped in to address the concern after the locals have been using fake seeds..
The governor said his administration bought the seeds from national government organisations,ready to distribute them to more than 57,000 farmers.
“ The seeds have been sourced from Simlaw Seed and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) ahead of distribution to farmers starting next week,” said Kang’ata.
He added that the distribution will be between September 23 to October 12 in all the 35 wards.
The farmers, he said, will be assisted with the fertilizers to help attain increased production of foods, as an avenue to fight diseases, through the right nutrition.
The seeds are various varieties designed for different ecological zones in Murang’a, he said adding that the farmers in upper and lower parts of the county will benefit.
Two months ago, the county government conducted public participation in the 35 wards where the 57,970 farmers’ interested in maize farming through the cooperatives societies..
County agriculture and cooperative CEC Kimani Mugo said the farmers will be trained on better crop husbandry as the county government was interested in increasing food production at the family level.
“The Department of Agriculture and other experts will be involved in training to ensure the farmers attain the best production,” said Mr Mugo.
Kahumbu MCA Chefman Njoroge said the concept of providing farmers with certified seeds will help the locals have food in their households, which have been missing over use of fake seeds among other inputs.
Njoroge said the small-scale farmers in Kahumbu estimated at 2,997 are lined up to get the support.
“Murang’a, he said, should be leading in food production from the use of certified seeds and right application of fertilisers,” said the Kahumbu MCA.
