Moiben MP Silas Tiren has urged the Uasin Gishu government to allocate more funds towards agriculture in its 2015-2016 budgetary allocations to boost farming.
Speaking to the media in Eldoret after a meeting convened by Governor Jackson Mandago to discuss agriculture issues on Tuesday, Tiren said that the region is likely to face hunger and starvation if the government fails to boost agriculture through proper funding.
The MP noted that many residents are abandoning maize farming and adopting other ventures, adding that the situation is of a serious concern and that thousands of farmers in his area are no longer planting maize.
The MP said that allocating more funds to agriculture will enable the county plan its future in terms of food production.
“From the information we are receiving, it is clear that most farmers are tired with growing Maize, Millet and Wheat,” said Tiren.
The lawmaker, while acknowledging diversification in framing, said that abandoning traditional crops like maize will be a disaster for the region.
He noted that farmers have been frustrated by failure to get a ready market for their produce, saying farmers have been forced to sell their produce at throw away prices.
The MP urged the Uasin Gishu government to find market for the farmers, and sensitise farmers on modern farming and help them access subsidize farm inputs.