Migori distributes 13 tonnes of maize, beans seeds as planting season kicks off

September 2, 2023 - Business - 1 comment

By MN Reporter

The Migori county government has distributed over 13 tonnes of maize and beans seeds to farmers as short rains season has started across the county.

On Thursday, county Deputy Governor Mahiri Gimunta flagged off the seeds at Lichota Farm in the outskirts of Migori town to farmers.

A total of ten tonnes of maize seeds which is 5,000 bags of two kilo seeds will benefit at least 30 farmers in each of the 40 wards in the county.

Three tonnes of beans will also benefit at least 15 farmers in each of the wards.

“Migori like the rest of the country has received short rains and these inputs will help in pushing up food security in the county,” Mahiri said.

He said already the county rehabilitated two tractors which have been used by farmers to open up fallow lands and prepare lands.

“We are having plans to also distribute fertilisers to farmers too, this will be soon,” he added.

Oscar Olima, the Migori County Secretary said Migori was keen in investing in agriculture ahead of plans by President William Ruto to set up agro-processing industries across the county.

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The parks will help in processing of agricultural products creating a further by-product.

Migori has over 200 acres of public land in Nyatike county which has been set aside for industrial parks.

According to the plan, the national government will give Sh100 million and counties will add Sh100m more for agro-processing. 

“In Migori we have more than ten agricultural plants and products which we have outline for the park and we are confident we will be food sufficient and open exports to Tanzania,” Olima said.

The two said on June, the Sh110 million Getong’anya Sweet Potato Processing Plant has been adding value to the crop by adding it to flour used to make crisps, bread and biscuits.

The plant has helped addressed the plight of the farmers who have been over the years exploited heavily by middlemen who buy their products at low costs.

Some of the farmers had shifted from Tobacco farming and started growing the crop in 2016 with hopes of having the plant opened.