Farmers is Uasin Gishu on Monday had the opportunity to express their challenges in a meeting held at the Uasin Gishu Town Hall.
The farmers represented by Menjo Kipkorir said that some of the challenges they face are some land laws are harsh and need to be withdrawn and proper public participation be done to create new laws.
Menjo expressed concerns over some of the allocations by the government to buy produce.
“The government has allocated Sh2.7 million for maize purchases by the NCPB. That can only buy 1 million bags but Uasin Gishu produce four million while Trans Nzoia produces five million bags,” said Menjo.
Speaking during the event, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor, Daniel Chemno, told the farmers that they have pushed for funds towards agriculture and there would be a supplementary budget that would see an increase in the budget allocation.
He assured farmers that agriculture will be developed to be more profitable for the farmers.
On the El~Nino phenomen, Chemno said that the government is ready to address any challenges that may be posed by it.
He added, “My government is taking the issue of El~Nino seriously. We are working with donors to investigate and have set aside Sh200m for it.”
Agriculture CeC Dr Ambrose Cyril Cheruiyot, who was also present during the event assured farmers that they will not be denied the right to own land and the bill and that was being passed to limit the amount of land a farmer can own to 24 hectares was rejected.
“Most of us in Uasin Gishu County have land as our investment. Everyone has the right to own the size of land they can afford. I challenge you all to utilise those land well,” said Cheruiyot.