Bungoma County Government through the Department of Agriculture is set to disburse subsidized maize seed and fertilizer to vulnerable farmers starting on Monday.
This is in fulfillment of Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka’s campaign pledge of improving livelihoods through agricultural production and food value chain addition.
Speaking Sunday during a thanksgiving meeting at Evangelism Outreach and Anointing Ministries (EOAM) in Bumula Constituency, Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany announced that the subsidized maize seed and fertilizer program by the County Government will commence on Monday and that 21,900 farmers, needy and vulnerable are set to benefit.
“I want to assure our residents that, Governor Lusaka is up and working. His administration is already on the record to ensure that we actualize all our campaign pledges,” she said.
Mbatiany noted that the County government will roll out the subsidized maize seeds and fertilizer with Bumula Sub County being the flagging zone, and subsequently in all the nine Sub Counties.
The DG further noted that the exercise, which cuts across the County in all the 45 Wards, will lower the cost of agricultural production among vulnerable farmers, increase food value chain addition and improve the livelihoods of the residents.
“The cost of agricultural production is currently high we want to empower farmers through this program so that they become self-reliant and channel more effort in agricultural production to improve their well-being and enhance food security,” she said.
Mbatiany urged all the farmers who had been vetted for the exercise to come out and benefit from the County Government subsidy program while affirming that only needy and vulnerable farmers will benefit.
“We are fully committed in bringing forth change and complete transformation in this regard, each farmer will receive two bags of 50kg fertilizer both for planting, top dressing and a 10kg bag of maize seed,” she said.
Mbatiany reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to working closely with the Church leadership by seeking guidance in execution of their mandate to the people.
“Our administration is a product of the Church we will work closely with the clergy in the quest to attain a legacy regime and I also urge the church to keep us in check,” she said.
Mbatiany also contributed to a funds drive towards expansion of the church by donating 70 iron sheets as per the requirements of the church.
By Douglas Mudambo
