Siaya farmers get certified seeds, subsidised fertilisers

A farmer in Siaya County inspects her maize plantation. The county government is supplying certified seeds to farmers to boost food security. PHOTO | SILAS APOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In 2014, the county harvested 130, 500 metric tons of maize.

  • Since the introduction of mechanised farming, 30 per cent of the county’s farmers have used tractors to till their land.

  • This year, an additional 38.8 metric tons of assorted drought resistant seeds were given to farmers in the region.

  • A packet of certified seeds and a bag of 25kg of fertiliser goes for Sh200 and Sh750 respectively. 

Siaya County government has embarked of supplying certified seeds to farmers to boost food security.

Governor Cornel Rasanga says this will protect locals from food shortage and cushion farmers from high costs of farming.

In 2014, the county reaped 130, 500 metric tons of maize. Following the launch of the programme, the county’s Agriculture department says the yields have improved by 41 per cent.

Since the introduction of mechanised farming, 30 per cent of the county’s farmers have used tractors to till their land.

SUBSIDISED FERTILISER

The county has also distributed 90.8 metric tons of assorted seeds to farmers and 3,000 bags of subsidised fertiliser. This has cut production costs by 30 per cent. 

This year, an additional 38.8 metric tons of assorted drought resistant seeds were given to farmers in the region.

“We want our farmers to embrace commercial farming by using certified seeds,” Siaya Deputy Governor James Okumbe told the Nation.

The seeds included sorghum and maize and 5,000 bags of fertiliser according to Dr Okumbe. The fertilisers include 2,400 bags of DAP and 600 bags of CAN.

TRACTORS

While launching the seeds and fertiliser programme in Ukwala town, Ugenya sub-county, Dr Okumbe asked farmers to make use of tractors and subsidised fertilisers to increase their crop yields.

A packet of certified seeds and a bag of 25kg of fertiliser goes for Sh200 and Sh750 respectively. 

The county government has purchased 14 tractors and hired 30 others to increase area under cultivation in the six sub-counties of Siaya.

Hiring the tractors cost Sh1, 850 per acre compared to Sh3, 000 charged by private owners.

MECHANISED FARMING

When the project of hiring tractors was introduced in 2014, only 30 per cent of residents embraced the idea. However, the number has risen tremendously.

Mrs Florence Adoyo from Yimbo in Bondo sub-county praised the county government’s efforts to mechanise farming.

Good yields from farmers have had a ripple effect to the maize prices.

In 2014 two-kilograms of maize would go for Sh140, but since farmers got subsidized seeds and fertilisers the prices have reduced to Sh50 for the same quantity.

Farmers have asked the county government to build a cereals store in every sub-county.