USAID donates farm equipment to Nyakite farmers

Migori,

Thursday, September 14, 2023,

KNA BY Geoffrey Makokha

Community members from Amoyo location in Nyatike Sub County have a reason to smile after receiving irrigation equipment and walking tractors worth half a million.

The donation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya in partnership with Blue Cross Nyatike will aim to help the “Tulu Safari Bado Self-Help Group increase their farming activities and productivity in the semi-arid area that is prone to drought.

Tulu Safari Group Secretary Joice Auma noted that the donation came at a time when the region had not received rainfall for over six months.

Auma said that the farm equipment will empower the group by increasing their farming activities and ensuring the region is food secure.

She added that the solar irrigation equipment will enable farmers to water their crops in time and help increase the productivity of the area.

Additionally, Auma disclosed that they will help other members of the community in achieving food security in the region.

The Executive Director of BlueCross NGO Erick Omondi acknowledged that Amoyo village in Nyatike had fertile lands to sustain crop production but the major challenges facing the area were floods, water shortages, and unreliable rainfall.

Omondi who represented USAID emphasized that by supporting the community with irrigation equipment the region will be food secure, an important aspect and one of the key components in the government blueprint.

“Nyatike has a high chance of food productivity and fertile soils but the challenges of floods and drought keep hindering the potential productivity of the area”, said Omondi.

The official also affirmed that BlueCross will continue to partner with the Nyatike community to see how fit to assist farmers in the region to be food secure.

Meanwhile, the County government of Migori through the Agricultural Department has pledged to help in the installation and maintenance of the equipment donated by NGOs and other necessary manpower to empower the Nyatike region.

Migori County Agricultural Official Joshua Opar pointed out that they will always provide technical support and skills to ensure that the farm inputs and machinery are operational and up to standards to serve the county residents.

Opar also encouraged like-minded NGOs to come on board and assist farmers, especially in the semi-arid area of Nyatike to realize food security as well as generate income.

Courtesy; KNA