Farmers in Taita Taveta County have been urged to diversify and grow drought resistant crops rather than relying solely on maize all year round.
He said crops like groundnuts earn farmers more than Ksh40,000 per acre in one planting season since they mature early and give returns within two months.
“These crops mature early and give returns within two months. Our county agricultural officers must visit farmers at the grassroot level to ensure farmers diversify. Time has come for all of us to cooperate, work together and leave politics aside to improve our peoples livelihoods,” said Samboja.
His sentiments were echoed by County Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha who challenged the residents to stop over relying on relief food but instead grow food, rare livestock and chicken to ensure food sustainability.
They were speaking during the last day of a two-day first ever Taita Taveta County Agricultural Show held at Vindo grounds over the weekend.
Thousands of participants show in Voi Sub-county which created an avenue for 200 exhibitors and farmers to create new market linkages, share knowledge and network.
The show brought together farmers, parastatals, financial institutions, farm machinery producing companies, agro chemicals and agrovet companies, traders and value addition groups.
Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani economic bloc, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi Counties were also represented.
Related: Taita Taveta County holds first ever ASK show
According to the show Chairman Martin Oyindo, the show was also an enabler and a platform for the County to learn food security, develop new partnerships and enhance capacity of farmers in value addition.
Governor Granton Samboja reassured farmers that by next year, a 50 acre showground will be built and ready to host a full-scale agricultural show and expressed optimism that the 2019 show will be fully supported by the Agricultural Society of Kenya.
Food and Agricultural Organisation representative Dr. Barrack Okoba said they are working to create market linkages to reduce wastage at the farms to ensure residents benefit fully from their farming practice, including looking for partners to start agro processing for value addition.
The ASK show, Taita Taveta chapter was officially closed by Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui who was accompanied by CeCs Davis Mwangoma, Getrude Shuwe, Houghton Mombo and Daniel Makoko.
The show was funded by the County Government of Taita Taveta and supported by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme - Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihood (KCEP CARL), Micro Enterprise Support Programme (MESP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Agricultural Research Institute and St John Ambulance.
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