Kakamega pumps Kshs. 120 million into smart farming

KSH 120 MILLION TO ESTABLISH SMART FARMS IN SUB COUNTIES ROLLED OUT

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has announced that the County Government of Kakamega has allocated Ksh 120 million to set up smart farms in the twelve Sub-Counties. Currently, the County has four functional smart farms in: Khwisero, Matungu, Malava and Lurambi Sub-Counties.

Speaking at Bukura Agricultural Training College Friday, Governor Oparanya said he was impressed with the work at the institution’s Smart Farm saying it should serve as a training Centre for other sub-counties.

“With this impressive work I have seen around this institution, I encourage farmers across the County to visit for capacity building and knowledge sharing,” the Governor said and encouraged residents to employ modern techniques being applied at the institutions to come up with kitchen gardens.

The Agriculture sector, he noted, receives a lion’s share of the County budget after the Health Services sector and promised to allocate more resources to the former to enhance food security in the County and provide employment opportunities.

“Our economy relies on Agriculture, we are committed to providing resources to the sector to ensure we achieve our food security agenda,” he assured, adding that since the County introduced the farm inputs subsidy programme, maize production in the County has tremendously increased.

“Last financial year the County gave free farm inputs to 24,000 vulnerable farmers to cushion them against adverse effects of Covid-19; l can confidently say the programme was very successful and effective,” he said.

The governor gave out equipment that included modern motor bicycles to farmers’ groups to boost their ventures.

Agriculture CECM thanked development partners and staff in the ministry for the support and committment towards transforming the sector in theCounty.

The event was also attended by MCAs led by the Chairman of Agriculture Committee Hon. Geoffrey Ommatera, Chief Officer for Agriculture Mr. Jeremiah Namunyu, Directors, Lurambi Sub-County Administrator Juma Omwendo and other senior Government officers.

~ County Government of Kakamega ~