Government banks on seed distribution in efforts to revive cotton farming in western

 

The government has increased efforts to revive the cotton industry in the western region.

Through the Agriculture Ministry, the government has embarked on the distribution of free BT cotton seeds to farmers as it aims to increase farming.

Mr Joseph Busiega, the Chief of staff in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary said the government recently embarked on phase two of verification and validation of selected high-impact national government projects in Nyanza and Western regions.

He said so far farmers through corporate societies have been given 15 tonnes of hybrid BT seeds in Busia and Bungoma counties.

During a state visit to cotton farmers, Mr Busiega said the government is determined to fully revamp cotton farming in the region by giving farm inputs and seeds to farmers as a way of encouraging more people to take up the practice.

"Our goal is to encourage more farmers in the western region to go back to planting cotton hence increasing the acreage under cotton production from 26,000 acres to 200,000 acres," said Busiega.

He assured farmers of a ready market for their produce as the Malakisi ginnery had been revived and in shape to start ginning.

"The fall of Malakisi Ginnery negatively affected the economy in the region. We must come in aptly and strategize on how best this industry can be brought back to life, "he said.

He said the collapse of the ginneries was due to poor management in the factories

Farmers however decried the lack of field extension officers to give guidance and consultations to them on how best to plant the BT seeds in order to maximize their produce.

"We appreciate what the government is doing for us like giving us seeds without paying a penny, however, we need more extension officers in the fields for easy consultation on how best to plant for better produce," said Lazaro Kamubia, a cotton farmer in Malakisi.

Kamubia pleaded with the government to increase the price of cotton per kilogram from the current Sh72 to at least Sh100 per kilogram to encourage even more farmers to join in practising cotton farming.

"Cotton has a lot of work and is expensive to manage.  Despite being given free seeds, there is a lot of labour that goes into the planting and managing. We are asking the government to increase the pricing per kg so that we can also be able to make a little profit out of our produce,” he said.

Other projects verified during the four-day exercise in the western region include the construction of the EPZA in Nasewa Busia County, the construction of a housing project in Funyula, the provision of agriculture insurance to farmers in Busia and Bungoma, the TVET expansion project at Musakasa in Bungoma and inspection of the Musikoma-Mungasi Road.

The Secretary, of National Administration in the Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration Ms Beverly Opwora further emphasised on the importance of a multisectoral approach to the implementation of major government projects.

"It is evident that different sectors of the government are working in isolation with regards to implementation of government projects which should be the case, it is essential to work in collaboration for a common course," she said.