Wednesday 31st January,2024.
Governor Malombe’s administration working round the clock to revitalise the agricultural production in a once arid lands
Kitui CECM Agriculture Dr Stephen Mbaya visits Demo farms in Kyuso Ward in Mwingi North Subcounty
The Kitui County Government under leadership of H.E Dr. Julius Makau Malombe, EGH, will promote Climate Smart Agriculture by issuing Drought Tolerant Crop Seeds such as Greengram, Cowpeas and Sorghum to needy farmers for the oncoming long rains(March-April-May 2024)
This was revealed by the CECM for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele during a farmers field day organized by County government in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for The Semi Arid Tropics ( ICRASAT) in Twimiwa, Kyuso Ward Mwingi North Sub County. Waziri Dr. Kimwele joined farmers after meeting all Mwingi North Subcounty Agriculture and Livestock officers at Kyuso subcounty HQ.
The field day, which brought together farmers, Agrodealers, Agro- processors , extension staff policy makers and consumers sought to educate farmers on drought tolerant crops husbandry from land preparations, harvesting and post harvest management.
In his remarks, CECM Kimwele said the County Administration had set aside sh.40M in the FY 2023/2024 to support soghurm, green grams and cow peas value chains.
“We are committed to walking with our farmers from production, pest management, post harvest and later on link them to the market ” affirmed the CECM.
He restated that through collaboration with partners and guiding farmers on good farming practices, the County administration would be keen to address food insecurity.
Individual farmer visits in Kivou Ward, Waita Ward and Nguni Ward.
Subsequently, Kitui CECM for Agriculture and Livestock Development made a tour of Mwambui and Ikuusya villages in Waita Ward of Mwingi Central Sub-County to interact with farmers.
The CECM visited the farms of Kalonzo Mulwa, a sorghum and green gram farmer, and Charles Wambua who rears fish and goats.
Mr. Mulwa benefitted from certified seed distributed by the county administration in collaboration with the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Africa Harvest.
The farmers are also among thousands of others who have been receiving technical services from County agricultural extension officers.
The tour is part of countywide engagements with farmers across the county aimed at identifying the various challenges faced by smallholder farmers with a view of tailoring viable solutions to ultimately improve Kitui’s agricultural production.