Farmers in Juja, Kiambu County have been challenged to embrace modern farming technologies to boost their yields. Speaking in Juja Farm during a farmer’s field day on Thursday, Kiambu County director of Agriculture, Beatrice Mukami said time has come for farmers in the area to start using modern farming equipment, methods and certified seedlings for them to get bumper harvests. She said majority of the farmers are still using the little jembes dubbed “umaskini njoo” to till their farms adding the system has been behind failed harvests. She noted there was need for them to start using tractors and oxen-ploughs to increase their yields. Mukami also asked the farmers to stop over relying on maize production as their main crop. “You should also venture into other drought resistant crops such as cassava and sorghum to supplement food production when maize fails,” she said. The agriculture department in the county, she promised, will empower farmers through agriculture extension officers who will ensure that farmers get the best knowledge on modern farming methods. “We will ensure that there are enough officers in every ward and when you are called upon for trainings, please come out in large numbers,” she urged. Juja ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Mwangi Muiruri revealed that his office through the ward development fund has procured two tractors that will be out in two week’s time to facilitate farmers prepare their land. He said each farmer in the ward will have his or her one acre of land tilled for free, a move that is aimed at encouraging farmers to embrace modern farming to boost harvests. “We are out to counter famine and we will not relent until our framers have their granaries full,” he said.

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