The government has developed a national rice development strategy to address the identified constraints and to fully capitalise on the opportunities in rice farming.
The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Sicily Kariuki said the strategy will rejuvenate the rice sector that has faced a myriad of challenges.
Kariuki said the rice sector from production to marketing will be addressed through the new strategy to improve the livelihoods of rice farmers.
“The strategy encompasses production, processing and marketing that is significant to improving on livelihood,” she said.
She noted that the government is keen to identify and introduce new rice varieties that are fast maturing and with high yields.
Speaking at Ahero National Irrigation Board in Muhoroni constituency on Monday when she opened training for plant operators for the newly acquired agricultural machineries, Kariuki told farmers to rely on the government to learn new farming technologies.
She said the government has partnered with Japan International Cooperation Agency to avail to farmers’ proper machinery for rice farming.
The Principal Secretary announced that the government will continue to offer other farm inputs to enable farmers reap maximum benefits from rice farming.
“The government is facilitating access to affordable farm machinery. I want farmers to be keen on preparation of their farms and using the right seeds for proper yield,” she said.