Nyando MP Fred Outa has proposed Dr Paul Omanga to streamline West Kano Irrigation Scheme as a consultant.
Outa said Dr Omanga, who once served as an agricultural expert with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has the ability to turn around rice farming in the area.
He said Dr Omanga should be given an office in the rice scheme to be able to interact with farmers and educate them on what should be done in the sector. The MP said the rice scheme has a potential that if nurtured well will pull the locals out of poverty.
“I want to ask farmers to allow me bring in Dr Omanga to turn around this once vibrant sector,” he said.
Speaking in his constituency on Friday, Outa said Dr Omanga will be ideal to even help farmers utilise farm machineries that were donated by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He said the farmers’ cooperative body is struggling but needs support to be able to work with the farmers to achieve better production.
Outa said the road network within the rice scheme has been done by the county government and farmers will find it easy to transport their produce to the drying station.
“Some great works have been done in terms of road network within the scheme. This will help farmers easily transport their produce," he said.
In January this year, Governor Jack Ranguma appointed Dr Omanga to head a taskforce on rice value addition within Ahero Irrigation.