By Reporter
A sigh of relief for Kwale farmers as the national government distributes two mobile grain dryers to reduce post-harvest losses, and improve food security and livelihoods.
The farmers also received subsidized certified maize and sunflower seeds and fertilizers.
The distribution was flagged off by the Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, Agriculture PS Kiprono Rono and Kwale governor Fatuma Achani.
Linturi said the subsidized seeds, fertilizers and grain dryers will help farmers to produce and store more food to fight hunger and poverty.
“Farmers always incur losses occasioned by poor storage, inadequate drying facilities, and poor weather conditions,” he said.
The CS said the dryers can moderate the required storage temperature and that the government has employed qualified workers at the national cereal and produce board storage facilities to assist in preserving the grains professionally.
Each dryer can dry 14 tons of maize in two hours. Plans are ongoing to have more grain dryers distributed across the county.
Linturi urged the farmers to register themselves to benefit from the government seeds and fertilizers subsidy programmes to enhance food and nutrition security in the country.
He said the farmers should not worry as the government has disbursed enough money to NCPB to buy excess food.
The NCPB will be buying 90kg of maize at sh4000 from farmers while those seeking storage services will be charged sh10 monthly and sh 70 per kilogram for drying fees.
He said the payment would be promptly and wouldn’t exceed 48 hours.
Linturi warned the farmers against selling grains to local millers who exploit them.
He said the NCPB storage facilities are certified by the government and offer quality services at affordable prices to help farmers become resilient to food shortages.
Linturi reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting small-scale farmers to produce enough food by providing them with the necessary farm inputs.
“Government is tenacious in supplying high-quality seeds to small-holder farmers to attain food security,” he said.
The CS urged maize farmers to continue registering with the e-voucher system to benefit from government subsidy programmes like subsidized fertilizer to enhance food and nutrition security in our country.
He stressed that farmers adopt technology to boost farming and grow socio-economically.
Linturi said the government is working to revive oil crops such as sunflowers, cashew nuts and coconuts among others in the coastal region.
He said the move will enable the state to produce enough cooking oil and lower the cost of commodities as well as improve food production and farmers’ income
PS Rono said the government plans to distribute 12.5 million bags of fertilizer to farmers across the country.
He said the farmers will access the fertilizers at sh2500 per pack of 50 kg through the agro-dealers, NCPB and other places authorized by the government.
“Don’t fight over fertilizers, we have more than enough, just register and they will be delivered,” he said.
Rono cautioned locals against buying seeds from uncertified dealers adding that it contributes to crop losses and poor yields.
He said the government has continued to crack down on illegal seed dealers and has arrested a few.
The PS said the coast region is leading with illegal seed dealers warning that anyone who is found culpable will face a jail term of six months or a fine of one million shillings.
Rono, however, faulted local farmers for giving wrong information during the registration for subsidized fertilizers.
He assured locals that the registration is safe and conducted by authorized people and that there is no need to worry.
The PS said the government has put a good policy in place to ensure all farmers are registered and benefit from the subsidized fertilizers.
He said in Kwale the number of farmers enrolled for the program is too small. He urged the county government to intervene to increase the numbers.
Rono said the government is also working to identify farmers and types of crops that do best in their areas and support them.
Governor Achani assured that the county will help distribute the subsidized fertilizer to farmers’ doorsteps.
“If you buy the fertilizers we will bring them to the last mile and get them at your convenience,” she said.
She said her administration has initiated the distribution of high-yield livestock to improve food and nutrition.
Achani said the programme is set to supplement the government subsidy program to empower local farmers.
The governor asked various ministries to work closely with the locals and provide necessary information.
She said the county has the potential to be food-secured and achieve 100 percent development but some government agencies mandated to offer crucial development services work in isolation.
Ends
