The County Government of Kisumu has been asked to assist Ahero Irrigation Co-operative Societies to maintain the farm inputs they have received from the government.
Principal Secretary in the ministry of agriculture Ms Sicily Kariuki said the Co-operatives must be given a lending hand to manage the farm machinery.
Kariuki said farmers will make profit only if the machinery is kept in good shape.
“I want to ask the government of Kisumu County not to abandon the farmers with the issue of maintaining the farm machinery,” she said.
She said the county government should work with the Co-operatives maintenance unit to ensure there is no breakdown that might hinder the production of rice in the area.
Addressing the machinery operators at the Ahero Irrigation National Board on Monday, Kariuki said her ministry will look into the proposal to have the maintenance units on location.
The Principal Secretary said the efficiency of the farm machinery will be the hallmark of proper rice production within the rice belt in Nyando.
Kariuki thanked Japan International Cooperation Agency for supporting the development work of the government mostly in the agricultural sector.
She advised farmers to maximise the use of the farm inputs for proper production and to increase their profits to alleviate poverty in the area.