Residents Urged to embrace Agriculture for sustainable development

Kabarnet, Friday, June, 23, 23

KNA by Caroline Cherono 

Baringo County Deputy governor Felix Maiyo has asked area residents to engage in farming and join cooperative societies to foster economic growth.

The Deputy governor made the remarks during Kenya Livestock Commercialization project (KelCoP) stakeholders meeting held at the Kenya school of government in Kabarnet town on Thursday , he noted that despite the county having the best goat meat the residents were still languishing in poverty hence the need to embrace commercial agriculture.

"Through innovation and value addition of farm produce, dairy and poultry, one can fetch more income and I would like to encourage investors to join hands in training and financing our farmers,” Maiyo said.

Maiyo added that as a county government they are committed to ensuring that agriculture thrives through providing veterinary services with plans underway to employ more agricultural extension officers and already the county has identified 20 youths who have been awarded scholarships to pursue certificates in animal health husbandry.

He further promised small-holder farmers that the county would help market the honey, goat meat, coffee, macadamia and further urged them to produce homemade animal feeds so as to reduce the cost of production and ensure food security.

On insecurity matters, Maiyo lauded the efforts of the National government in restoring peace in the volatile areas of the county and advised farmers to market their county positively to attract potential investors.

CECM Agriculture Risper Chepkon’ga said agriculture and livestock farming will boost development of residents and as a department they were working on improving the sector through capacity building and prioritizing its adaptation through providing a favorable business environment for investors.

"In order to grow and achieve more, we should make a difference by embracing agriculture especially the youth and women in addition to identifying new opportunities in agriculture," Chepkon’ga said.

Goretti Bett, the branch manager from Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC) enlightened the small-holder farmers on the availability of credit facilities to do livestock, poultry and agriculture farming hence farmers ought to take advantage of the low interest loan facility.

Judy Chemoiywo a farmer who attended the meeting said the lack of information on best farming practices and middle men who have infiltrated the market was a major challenge leading to exploitation of farmers.

The meeting brought together over 100 farmers from various parts of the county, local leaders, financial institutions, the National and county government agriculture department.

Courtesy ; K. N. A