Green peas farmers in Kitui county are set to reap Ksh 4 billion in four months time, Governor Charity Ngilu says.
The County has embarked on an agricultural revolution through the procurement of 88.5 metric tonnes of certified ndengu (green peas) seeds, which are being distributed to farmers in the first phase.
“Each farmer will receive free seeds for planting ahead of the planting season. Some parts of the county have started receiving the short October-December rains,” said Ngilu.
The devolved unit has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross Society to distribute the seeds across the vast county.
In Mwingi sub-county, Joseph Munyao, the Kivou Ward Agricultural Extension Officer told KNA Saturday that ndengus do well in the region, adding that within four months, farmers “would be smiling all the way to the bank.”
The Kenya Red Cross Society delegation led by Secretary Abbas Gullet has mobilised resources for this initiative.
“We identified Kitui County as a vulnerable region following the failed rains and the prolonged dry spell. Majority of the people are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change,” said Gullet.
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He said the ambitious programme aims at eradicating perennial hunger in the county, improve livelihoods of residents and reduce poverty through rural development.
Ngilu said the programme was in line with her administration’s objectives of tackling Kitui county’s perennial food problems and deep rooted poverty through economic empowerment of residents by utilisating locally available resources.
“This project has come at an opportune moment to support residents to meet their immediate needs, using early recovery initiatives that strengthen livelihoods through support to subsistence farmers, as well as access to water,” said Gullet.
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Munyao, on his part, called on farmers to embrace ndengu farming as a precursor to unlocking the door out of hunger and poverty that has bedeviled the region for decades.
A small-scale farmer from Kivou Mama Abigail Kasalu confirmed that she has been impressed by the clarion call spearheaded by the county government, while promising to change her mode of farming.
“I used to grow maize each season. Crop failure due to low or inadequate rainfall was the norm. I will move on now from maize to ndengu farming,” Mama Kasalu.
The agricultural extension officer said that the ndengu proceeds could be used to buy maize and other cereals which do not do well in this region
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