Irrigation and new crops will bring wealth to farmers in Migori

Once the economic mainstay of Migori County, sugar cane and tobacco are no more. Where to should Migori farmers turn? Governor OKOTH OBADO spoke to
EVERLINE OKEWO

With sugar cane and tobacco on their death beds here, what else can put money into farmers’ pockets?

We started growing soybean recently as an alternative to tobacco and sugar cane. One of the ways in which we are supporting farmers is by supplying them with seeds to push down their cost of production.

So far, 2,000 farmers have benefitted. We have also linked farmers to Equatorial Nut Processors where they can sell their produce.

Other companies that have expressed interest to work with us are BIDCO and a company in South Korea. With that, farmers will soon be able to earn handsomely from their sweat.

What else are you looking at?

We are also promoting fruits like citrus, avocado, yellow passion and tissue culture banana. The county has nurseries to grow sorghum, cassava and wheat for growing in drier parts like Nyatike. Even those growing tea are now paid within two months.

The other very important facet is irrigation.

The Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme is complete. Its total size is 20,000 acres. As I speak, about 200 acres are ready for irrigation. The farms will be divided into plots for production of various food crops. We want to plant sunflower, melons, onions, and upland rice.

The cost of inputs is also prohibitive to many farmers and a key stumbling block to the achievement of food security. What are you doing on this front?

My administration has started an input access programme. We invested Sh31 million to buy fertiliser (NPK, DAP for planting and CAN for top dressing). Besides, we have also purchased hybrid seeds both for the upland rice variety and maize. Under this programme, 4,000 farmers have been supplied with seeds and fertiliser.

Through value addition farmers can substantially increase their earnings. Any plans for value addition?

Through the Department of Economic Affairs, farmers are being trained on how they can add value to their crops. Recently, we procured a Sh2 million potato processing plant. Through the plant, farmers will produce a wide range of sweet potato products such as crisps, biscuits, bread and cake.

The factory is under installation and in less than two months, we will be good to go. Suna-West, Kuria and partly Rongo sub county are sweet potato hubs. We have also employed extension officers to train farmers on how to add value to soya beans to make soy milk, soya flour and bread.

Your government recently announced it had offered 150 dairy cows to farmers free of charge. How is this project faring?

Dairy farming offers another opportunity for investment in the county. My administration distributed 150 cows to livestock farmers in 33 wards in February.

The farmers were organised in 10 clusters. The benefitting farmers qualified on the availability of feeds, labour, constant supply of water and housing.

So far, the cows have calved down and the calves given to other beneficiaries in the Sh17 million scheme that is set to empower thousands of farmers. Soon as we expect the pedigree breed will spread all over the county.

Any hope for the tobacco farmers?

Most of the tobacco growing companies have left Kenya. These companies had contracted about 15,000 farmers who have now been rendered jobless.

Tobacco has also lost value in terms of payment, there was underpayment and many other challenges like health risks and child labour.

This is why we are working on high value alternative crops to improve the livelihood of these farmers. But we will also support those who will cling on to it by trying to look for alternative markets within the country and across the border.

But the poor road network can make all your grand projects come a cropper because farmers will not access the market. What are you doing about this?

We are working to better the situation. We have constructed 80 new roads that have opened up several areas. We have also rehabilitated feeder roads.

We have also invested in foot bridges to increase access to farms. I assure farmers that my government will make the sector worth investing in.