Farmers in Uasin Gishu County should have no worry over the early rains which has come before the usual planting calendar which falls in mid-March.
They should therefore continue planting as the weatherman report indicates sustainable rains all along.
This is clarification was made by the Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Festus Ng’eno during his tour to Eldoret alongside his Agriculture counterpart Dr. Paul Ronoh, to launch an 8-year, Sh34 billion investment in the Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme (INReMP), covering 10 counties with Uasin Gishu being the host.
“The Meteorological Department has confirmed that the rains, which has come earlier than usual, will continue; farmers should not have a reason to worry. Those who have planted, well and good; those who have not yet, it is the best time to start preparing your land for planting. The rain is there to stay,” alluded PS Dr. Ng’eno.
“I know farmers from this area always rely on the March-May rainy season but I can assure you due to weather changes and climate change issues, it has come early, but the assurance we are giving you as government is that the rains will not disappear,” he added.
He also urged farmers to take advantage of the ongoing rains to plant trees especially fruit trees to conserve the environment and boost food security.
Agriculture PS Rono affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting farmers in food basket counties to produce enough to enhance food security by ensuring subsidized fertilizers are available on time.
He confirmed the availability of enough fertilizer both for planting and top dressing at the Eldoret NCPB depot to enable farmers to plant early enough. Additionally, he acknowledged the delay in the arrival of OCP fertilizer, citing logistical challenges experienced by the cargo ship as a result of freezing sea waters at the coast of Morocco on its way to Kenya.
“We promised you fertilizer and we plan to bring 12.5 million bags of fertilizer at the cost of Sh2500 per 50Kg bag. We are doing everything possible to ensure you get these fertilizers on time despite the early rains, which have come ahead of the normal planting season by March 15,” said PS Ronoh while addressing farmers at the Eldoret NCPB Depot.
Dr. Ronoh also mentioned that the government has allocated Sh2 billion to Kenya Seed Company to subsidize maize seed, assuring farmers of affordable maize seed prices very soon.
Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim assured farmers of reliable access to subsidized fertilizers at the last mile distribution centers to cushion them from extra cost and time they incur from travelling to National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to purchase the crucial farm input.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
