Gichugu farmers get Sh33 million to boost production

Farmers from 87 groups practising poultry keeping, avocado, tomato, dairy and pig farming in Gichugu constituency have received Sh33.7 million to increase yields.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru handed out cheques to the farmers on Thursday at Kianyaga Catholic Church. 

The groups join 314 others as beneficiaries of a Sh117 million kitty in phase two of the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Programme.

Governor Waiguru said the projects under Wezesha Kirinyaga Economic Empowerment Programme are to boost agricultural productivity. The goal is to improve the living standards of residents.

“The funds will enable farmers to carry out extra income-generating activities that will mitigate the adverse effects of Covid-19 on the residents,” Waiguru said. 

She said poultry farmers will be assisted to rear improved kienyenji chicken for massive egg production, complementing phase one of the one million eggs per month project.

Tomato farmers will build greenhouses and install drip irrigation systems to enable them to grow varieties to be supplied to the proposed processing factory.

Avocado farmers will get Hass avocado seedlings, with a packing house to be put up once production improves. 

The funds will also support dairy farmers to improve their dairy cow breeds through artificial insemination for increased milk production. Pig farming groups will each be supported with a sow and 20 piglets.

Governor Waiguru said the leadership of all the groups have been trained on proper management of the projects. They are expected to ensure the successful implementation of the projects.

Waiguru said several other projects were in line or ongoing in the sectors such as health, roads, agriculture and urban upgrade.

The governor said that she was extremely delighted that for the first time in history the country will have a female Chief Justice after Court of Appeal Judge Martha Koome was nominated for the job. 

She said that Koome's nomination to head one arm of government gives hope to other women that they can achieve whatever they aspire to.

(edited by o. owino)