Kisii governor James Ongwae has said a food security Bill has been prepared and is awaiting discussion in the county assembly before being enacted into law.
Speaking on Friday at Gusii Stadium, Governor Ongwae said if the Bill is enacted, it will empower the county government to institute corrective interventions to ensure food security.
“Food security and economic well being of the farmers remains a priority objective for our county. To help actualize the citizen’s right to food security, we have drafted the Kisii County Food Security Bill, 2015 which be presented before the County Assembly. Once enacted, the food security law will enable us instill proper mechanisms that will see food security achieved,” said Governor Ongwae.
He added: “It is important to understand that this region has agro ecological zones suitable for production of various food crops such as maize, finger millet, sorghum, beans, bananas, beans, Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as cash crops such as tea, coffee, pyrethrum, sugarcane and horticultural crops.”
Governor Ongwae said his government has provided 4,500 farmers with a farm inputs package of maize seeds, CAN and DAP fertilizers worth over Sh10 million, to facilitate the provision and distribution of farm inputs to farmers.
He said they are working towards establishment of cereal depots in all the sub-counties,and the construction of a depot in South Mugirango constituency has already kicked off.
Ongwae urged farmers to intensify the use of certified seeds, fertilisers, practice soil conservation and follow recommended agronomic practices to improve their yields.
He said county governments in the region are supporting effective participation of the relevant stakeholders in the management and decision-making to address challenges affecting production and marketing of cash crops like tea, coffee and sugarcane.
“There is potential of increasing tea production and earnings. This region has twelve operational tea factories with a cumulative processing capacity of 140 million kilogrammes, which is inadequate. To alleviate the problem of low crushing capacity and congestion at tea buying centers, the County Government of Kisii has signed a MOU with Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) giving support in supplementing equity contribution required by farmers in Sombogo with Sh30 million to construct a new factory,” said Ongwae.
He added: “In regard to sugarcane, we have received the necessary approval needed to actualise the construction of a sugarcane factory at Nyangweta in South Mugirango.”
Ongwae said county governments in liaison with the national government are implementing reforms to promote alternative marketing options besides the coffee auction.
“In this regard, I am also happy to report that the implementation of the coffee task force report has begun to bear fruits as all farmers have now been paid for the crop delivered last year. Last year, our farmers received Sh45 million in loans from the Coffee Development Fund (CDF) and earned Sh150 million from the crop,” he said.
He encouraged farmers to form commodity marketing groups and cooperatives in order to enhance access to inputs and better returns.