The Kisumu County government intends to ensure that cotton farming is boosted, agriculture executive Stephen Orot has said.

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Orot on Monday said cotton farming has been on the decline in most parts of the country for quite some time now, due to purchasing of second-hand clothes, commonly known as ‘mitumba’ from other countries.

He said second hand clothes have flooded the Kenyan market, thus killing what used to be a vibrant cotton sector in the country.

Speaking during a press conference in Kisumu, the executive member said the county government is partnering with various stake holders in a bid to improve on cotton production in the lakeside region.

“We need varieties that can produce more. We want to work together, partner with Kari, other seed production companies like Kenya seed and Amiran so that we come up with good varieties of cotton that can improve and increase the production,” said Orot.

The agriculture boss was accompanied by Fibre Directorate Institute manager for research and production Hesbon Olweny.

Olweny urged farmers in the county to invest in cotton farming, saying good cotton farming practices have value for money.