Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has set up a taskforce to spearhead rice value addition in Ahero irrigation scheme. Ranguma has appointed Dr Paul Omanga, an agricultural expert who recently worked with FAO, to head the taskforce. “I have faith in Dr Omanga since he has the required expertise to run this taskforce that will come out with solutions to our problems in the rice sector,” he said on Tuesday. He said the taskforce will be responsible for developing the entire rice value chain. The governor announced that there are funds in his office to fund the taskforce to be able to deliver and help rice farmers in the area. He said the irrigation board will be in the taskforce after he consulted the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei. Ranguma noted that since agriculture has been devolved, the irrigation board will also be devolved to the counties. “National Irrigation Board will be under us once it is fully devolved and my government will ensure that our farmers benefit from these devolved units,” he said. He said that once devolved, the county government will be able to work closely with the irrigation board to ensure farmers get water in time for the plantation of their rice. The governor said that rice farmers have faced numerous challenges and his government will strive to ensure they get value for their work.

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