Murang’a farmers to get 100 tonnes of free seeds

Murang’a county government has rolled out a Sh20 million programme to distribute 100 tonnes of free hybrid maize seed to farmers.

The programme targets 200,000 farmers who will receive the seeds ahead of the March-May long rains. According to Governor Mwangi wa Iria, the move is aimed at cushioning farmers against fraud in the seed sector.

He said the variety has been approved by the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (Karlo) for the region.

“The variety can do well in minimal rainfall regime, matures fast and yields at optimum rate. We are currently bruised by the October-December poor rains where out of a projected 300,000 bags of maize harvests, we have managed only 12, 000 bags,” he said.

Murang’a is 95 per cent agricultural economy hence the need to channel more resources into direct agricultural financing according to officials. The weatherman has warned of poor rains in the March-April-May long rains season.

The weatherman said the food security situation is expected to deteriorate over most parts of the country especially northern Kenya.