Farmers in Waa Ng’ombeni Ward in Kwale County have raised concerns over inadequate supply of certified seeds, warning that the shortage is undermining efforts to boost food production as more households increasingly turn to farming.
The concerns emerged during a public participation forum on the proposed 2026/2027 budget estimates held at Kombani Social Hall, where residents said the quantity distributed by the county government falls far short of demand.
Speaking on behalf of farmers, Hamad Tenguri said the current allocation estimated at 30 bags cannot meet the needs of the growing number of smallholder farmers in the ward.
“Many residents have now embraced farming, but the seeds are too few. The current supply cannot serve all farmers. We are asking the county government to increase the allocation,” he said.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Roman Shera acknowledged the shortfall, attributing it to budgetary constraints, but assured residents that the county is working to scale up support in the 2026/2027 financial year.
“The seed budget has been about Sh22 million, but this financial year it has been increased to Sh 25 million. While this may not reach every farmer, it will enable more farmers to benefit,” Shera said.
He added that the county recently distributed maize, green grams, and beans across all 20 wards in an initiative launched by the governor, aimed at strengthening household food security.
As part of ongoing interventions, the county is supporting farmers with input, with 400 farmers set to benefit from the latest rice seed distribution programme.
However, farmers in Vanga Ward continue to face significant challenges that threaten rice production.
Even as Governor Fatuma Achani rolls out targeted interventions including the distribution of four tonnes of rice seeds in Bodo, Ramisi Ward, the situation on the ground remains difficult for many growers.
The consignment is shared across Pongwe-Kikoneni, Ramisi, and Vanga wards, with Vanga receiving the largest share of two tonnes, while Ramisi and Pongwe-Kikoneni each receive one tonne. Each farmer is expected to receive 10 kilograms of rice seeds under the programme.
Despite this support, Vanga which is known for irrigation-based rice farming under the Waga–Machame scheme continues to face production setbacks following a shift during the Umba River about two years ago.
The change disrupted the flow of water to irrigation canals, leaving farms without a reliable water supply and significantly slowing rice production. Farmers who depend on the crop for both household consumption and income have been adversely affected.
Shera said the county government is working in partnership with the National Irrigation Authority to restore the river’s course and revive irrigation farming.
“We have experienced serious challenges in rice farming after the Umba River changed its course, cutting off water supply to farms. However, the restoration project is ongoing, and we are optimistic that once completed, farmers will regain access to irrigation water,” he said.
He urged farmers to adopt modern farming techniques to maximise yields once irrigation is fully restored.
As the long rain continues across the region, Shera encouraged farmers to take advantage of the favourable weather conditions to increase production and help address recurring food shortages.
He also challenged residents to embrace farming as a sustainable livelihood, noting that increased investment in agriculture will be key to improving food security in the county.
The concerns raised by Waa-Ng’ombeni residents highlight the growing demand for agricultural support as more communities turn to farming in the face of economic pressures and climate challenges.
The Kombani forum was part of a wider public participation exercise across Kwale County aimed at collecting residents’ views on development priorities and budget allocations for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Shera emphasised that the process is anchored in the Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to participate in governance and decision making.
“We are here to fulfill our constitutional mandate by involving residents in shaping development projects and budget priorities for their ward,” he said.
Waa-Ng’ombeni Ward has been allocated approximately Sh90 million in proposed projects, contributing to an overall county budget estimated at about Sh10 billion.
By Chari Suche
