Farmers from Machakos County have been advised to make good use of the current heavy downpour currently experienced in the region in a bid to enhane food security.
The call was made by Hoseah Swanya, Deputy Agriculture Officer Mavoko Sub-county, who said it was high time the farmers utilised well the rains for extensive crop production terming the weather favourable.
Swanya advised the farmers to grow on short term crops such as vegetables, fruits and fodder for their livestock as these, he said could mature before the end of the rains.
He said those farmers who benefited from free seeds donated by the Machakos County Government should work hard to get adequate yield from them for the support to have credible impact.
The officer affirmed that even the county falls in the larger Eastern region globally known to be semi arid with lots of hunger and famine, his office was working closely with the county government to ensure there was no need for relief food in the region.
“Many people have always known Eastern Province as semi arid, with lots of famine and hunger, we are committed to ensure that devolution finds permanent solutions to these challenges and avoid need for relief food in Machakos County,” said Swanya.
Swanya, who was addressing journalists at his office in Athi River, called upon the youth from the region to take lead in food production also as a way of earning livelihoods, stating that the region was equally as fertile as other parts of the country.