Farmers in the North Rift have been urged to purchase certified seeds from licenced dealers countrywide to enable them get high yields and prevent crops from attack by pests and diseases.
The Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) Eldoret Branch Manager, David Kosgey speaking in his office on Tuesday said he has received complains from farmers in the county and countrywide that there are dealers who sell uncertified seeds and fertilizers to innocent farmers at a very low cost. During harvesting season the result of using uncertified see is low or no yields at all.
“Farmers should always carryout soil testing before planting or using any type of fertilizers this will help our officers to know the soils potential hydrogen (PH) and thus be able to recommend on the best type of crop to be grown and the fertilizers to be applied and if they put to practice the advice given their crops will bore positive fruits” Mr. Koskei advised
“They should also embrace agribusiness and new technologies such as irrigation, growing crops in green houses and also plant crops that are of first maturity which will enable the country to have food security also farmers should not always rely on the rain which in the recent past has led to poor or low yields, and I will also like to challenge the weather focus department to be always giving right information since farmers always rely on you, ”he reiterated.
He also urged to farmers to visit their offices in Eldoret where they will be offered advice free of charge on any problem they are encountering pertaining farming and their queries will be answered.