Rice growing in Nyanza is expected to get a major boost after an Indian firm, Agfri Systems of Rice Intensification (SRI) came on board to offer expertise, seeds, fertilizers and mechanical weeders aimed at saving farmers at the Ahero and West Kano irrigation schemes in Kisumu County.
The project is going to be funded to a tune of Sh8 million which will cater the cost of water while doubling production from two tonnes per acre to four acres.
According to National Irrigation Board Regional Manager Joel Tanui, SRI will also help farmers to increase production on paddy.
He also insisted on the commitment that the government has in reviving the rice growing sector in the region which has in the past been faced by a myriad of challenges ranging from poor management of the irrigation schemes in the rice belts.
"We do believe that the coming of Agfri on board will help revive this dwindling rice sector in the region. Above all, we expect that the production of paddy in the region will also increase as a result band restore the good name this area had in rice growing," said Mr Tanui.
However, he cautioned farmers not to be misled by unscrupulous middlemen who will underpay them.
Instead, he asked them to rely on the government in future to market their produce if they don't want to count loses.