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Laikipia County offers production contracts, financing to farmers

farmers

Laikipia farmers will select the crops to grow or animals to keep depending on their ecological zones. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Laikipia County is set to start contract farming and has invited agro-processors, financiers and insurers for partnership.

Contract farming is one of the key pillars of the new leadership’s agenda. The county targets cereals, pulses, vegetables, fodder, herbs, trees, cattle, goats, rabbits and poultry production.

“The county government of Laikipia invites agro-processors, traders and inputs/services to a joint contract farming promotion (and sign-up) drive,” said the county in a notice.

Farmers will select the crops to grow or animals to keep depending on their ecological zones.

“Farmers will know and select the profitable crops to grow or livestock or fish to raise; buyers including agro-processors and traders will sign contracts with smallholder farmers, organisations and mid/large farmers; input/service suppliers (fertilisers, seeds, irrigation, farm mechanisation) and financial institutions will sign contracts with farmers,” said the notice put out on Tuesday.

READ: Sh10mn tagging exercise to help stem cattle rustling in Laikipia

The county is looking to take advantage of its 203,965 acres privately-owned land.

The county is organising exhibitions and farm visits, with investors allocated space in areas suitable to grow their crops.

Contract farming has become increasingly attractive to farmers not only because of good earnings but also due to the assurance of payment in good time. This is unlike the normal farming where prices keep fluctuating.