Government targets 61million bags of maize during the short rains season

Meru,

Monday, October 23, 2023,

KNA by Dickson Mwiti

The government is targeting a total of 61million bags of maize in the current short rains season that will go a long way in ensuring the country is food sufficient.

According to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi, a total of 44million bags were harvested in the last season and this was set to increase following various government’s interventions to boost crop production by farmers.

 “Last season we had an improvement in food production and we are hoping this will go even higher this season because we have increased the interventions that will enhance productivity,” said Mr Linturi. 

But he said this will happen only if farmers were ready to go back to their farms and take advantage of the government incentives including subsidized fertilizers and planting seeds.

“The aim of the government is to ensure that we get sufficient food for consumption and surplus for commercial purposes. This is the reason the government through my ministry is working hard to ensure the state of agriculture in the country is improved,” said Mr Linturi. 

The CS congratulated farmers for registering with the ministry of agriculture, a move that will help the government in future planning.

He added that all the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) centres in the country were open for farmers to pick their fertilizers for use in the current season.

“There is a close relationship between the amount of fertilizer applied to a crop and its productivity. This is the reason we are urging farmers to ensure they pick sufficient fertilizer for their farms,” said Mr Linturi.

Mr Linturi added that the government is targeting the country to be nutritional and food secure in the next 18 years and this will only be achieved if farmers and the ministry work together harmoniously.

Courtesy; KNA