News
State of emergency as hunger looms
Posted Friday, January 9 2009 at 22:26
Agriculture minister William Ruto said the Government would import two million bags of maize, while the rest would be brought to the country through the private sector.
The five million bags of maize would be imported in the next five months, added Mr Ruto.
In addition, the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture intends to boost maize production this year by increasing extension services and availability of fertilizers.
The Ministry of Agriculture has already procured 15,000 tonnes of fertilizer being sold to farmers at a subsidised price.
The ministry, through the National Cereals and Produce Board, has also ordered 40,000 tonnes of assorted fertilizers, which will be available to farmers during the long rains.
The ministry is also in the process of procuring another 73,000 tonnes of fertilizers for the long and short rains this year. In addition, the ministry will distribute about 6,000 tonnes of fertilizer to poor farmers free of charge.
The ministry, through the Kenya Seed Company, has also reduced the price of seed by Sh5 for each five kilos.
The ministry will distribute about 25,000 tonnes of seed of orphan crop to farmers free of charge in arid and semi-arid areas.
On land preparation, the Ministry of Agriculture has reviewed all its agricultural machinery services and procured a total of 90 new tractors to making ploughing affordable.
These tractors will be used in addition to another 85 from the Agricultural Development Corporation.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Cabinet Ministers Ruto, Naomi Shaban, Charity Ngilu, George Saitoti and Dr. Mohammed Kuti, Assistant Minister Oburu Odinga, who represented Acting Finance Minister John Michuki, and Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura, among others.
“The government in conjunction with development partners is carrying out an assessment in this emergency situation,” said Mr Ruto.
The minister said there were about 12.6 million bags of maize in the grain reserves and an additional three million bags expected to be harvested from the last and current seasons’ harvest.
But following rain failure, especially in the Eastern part of the country, there is a deficit of 10 million bags of maize.
The minister said that the Government had provided fertilizer and maize seed to farmers but that they have gone to waste after the short rains failed.
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Submitted by bogoroPosted January 11, 2009 04:08 AM
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Submitted by dirrty
Be afraid Nation!Be Very Afraid! Poghisio might exercise his powers during the state of emergency and close down all media outlets for causing unnecessary alarm as per the new media bill!!!Politicians..........
Posted January 11, 2009 03:37 AM -
Submitted by mpakakwetu
Until all Kenyans start voting for a leader for his work not for the 50shs he got or for his name we have a problem.Education/knowledge is the best thing a human being can possess.Our leaders are not going anywhere.We are also corrupt taking advantage of our position.That's also heartless,or not?.A man for himself!The maize will be imported by the politicians' companies who will make profit at our expense on top of a tax free salary.Our living standards will keep on deteriorating as we wait for the rain to fall.
Posted January 11, 2009 12:50 AM -
Submitted by charlzk
wasn't it the other day we were selling acres of our most fertile land to Qatar now whoosh by magic wht has happened now?? wht fools they are in goverment!!!
Posted January 10, 2009 09:04 PM -
Submitted by paulo1981
it is such a pity of magnanimous extent that a country whose government cannot afford to feed her populace can afford huge salaries to herself (MPs) and their extravagant lifestyles!
Posted January 10, 2009 08:17 PM
RSS
The case of Malawi,They are now coming out of brink.Because the president saw the people of Malawi are dying he did give fertilizer and maize planting on credit and now they are smiling no matter all of them have not done it.Kenya the soil is so exhausted and they think we are going to be a healthy nation in future.I doubt!