Governor Rotich Launches 10,000 Certified Sorghum Seedlings
Elgeyo Marakwet Wisely Rotich today launched the distribution of 10,000 Kg of certified sorghum seedlings to registered farmers along the Valley.
This is after he struck a partnership with East African Breweries (EABL) to contract farmers in the valley to grow the crop for the company.
Under the deal, EABL will purchase a kilogram of the sorghum at Ksh. 56.
To ensure farmers are economically empowered, Governor Rotich’s administration is promoting income generating ventures through the initiation of agribusiness activities for cash crop farmers.
The initiative is in hand with his His manifesto “pesa mfukoni”. It will increase productivity, stimulate value addition and attract good prices. The farmers are also guaranteed of ready market for their produce.
The residents will be provided with capacity building programmes, provision of seedlings as well as extension services support.
During the launch in Keiyo North, Marakwet East and West Sub counties, the Governor urged farmers to take good care of their crops and plant together so that after harvesting, the contractor buys them wholesome.
“We have sourced high-quality seeds to ensure fast maturity and high yields. We urge our farmers to work closely with agricultural officers in the ward to ensure you produce export quality final product”, said Rotich.
He urged farmers to request more allocation towards diversification through public participation. The initiative will be a continuous process.
CEC in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Mr. Edwin Seronei urged farmers to diversify to protect themselves from losses when one crop fails.
” We encourage farmers to focus on high-value crops. It will ensure food security and ‘pesa mfukoni’ initiative is achieved ,” said Mr. Seronei.
The farmers echoed the Governor’s aspirations that improving agriculture as an economic venture will act as food security and income generating avenue for them.
Mr. James Kittony, a farmer in Chesetan, Sambirir ward, urged fellow farmers to embrace cash crop farming. It will enhance their day to day upkeep.
The county boss also revealed that under a programme to boost cash crop farming in the County, other cash crops i.e Pyrethrum, cotton and coffee will be distributed across the county.
Endo, Arror, Emsoo, Sambirir, Soy North and Soy South benefitted from the program.
Also present during the launch were CEC Education Mr. Edwin Kibor, Director Agriculture James Wekesa, Ward Agricultural officers and other technical agricultural staff
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