- Industrialization Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana said the distribution of the seeds was part of the government’s commitment to revive cotton farming in the country.
- Orengo stated that cotton has a great production potential, with an ideal yield of 2,500 kilograms per hectare, as opposed to the current 300 kilograms.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Cotton farmers from Siaya County have received Sh25 million seeds from the national government to boost their yields and income.
This comes as the county government eyes a climate-resilient cotton value chain with the revival of production and ginneries.
Industrialization Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana said the seed distribution was part of the government’s commitment to revive cotton farming in the country.
Dr Mukhwana accompanied by Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi said the government is providing farmers with seeds, fertilizers, cooperatives, and ginneries to
He urged farmers to make good use of the seeds to help them boost their yields for increased income generation.
"We have allocated funds to purchase cotton from farmers to ensure that they have a guaranteed buyer,” Dr Mukhwana said.
The PS said through the support of the Office of the President, they have managed to acquire seeds which have been a challenge to obtain in the past.
“The seeds we are distributing will help farmers produce more cotton. Last year, the price of 1kg of cotton was Sh 52, but due to our efforts, the new price is now between Sh65 and Sh72,” he said.
He spoke at the Siaya Technical Institute where the county hosted a Cotton, Textile and Apparels Value Chain Stakeholders’ engagement forum.
The conference is part of its bigger plans to shore up activities in the multi-billion-shilling industry, boost the County's economy and improve the livelihoods of those dependent on the industry.
Dr Mukhwana said the government is also seeking an investor to build a ginnery in Siaya, which will help in improving value addition to the cotton sector.
Kilemi noted that while in the past, cotton was the main economic activity for Siaya County, people still have doubts about cooperatives due to mistrust.
He suggested collaboration with the Council of Governors to pass the new cooperative law, which will help to build confidence among farmers.
“We need to encourage more young people to get involved in agriculture, especially in value chains such as cotton. Let's show them that there is potential for profit in cotton farming,” Kilemi said.
Siaya governor James Orengo has reiterated its commitment to revitalizing the region's cotton production and expanding its value chain capacity.
He noted that the national government has promised to facilitate farmers' access to seeds and provide a ready market at competitive prices.
Orengo stated that cotton has a great production potential, with an ideal yield of 2,500 kilograms per hectare, as opposed to the current 300 kilograms.
The governor believes that driving industrialization in the county will be significantly boosted by this.
“Many farmers in the county have thus grown cotton before and hence are familiar with the enterprise. It is therefore the opportune time to revamp and modernize our Cotton value chain and ensure that we achieve our optimal production level,” Orengo said.
Cotton was once a major source of income for the residents of Siaya County from the 1960s to the early 1980s when the sub-sector collapsed.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Orengo said his administration endeavours to have a Climate Resilient Stronger Cotton Value Chain whose players are adequately capacity-built.
The county, he said, offers tailor-made extension services where farmers are trained on technology innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs) in cotton.
In commercial value chains under cotton 6,000 Kgs of cotton seed were distributed in the last financial year. This year (2023-2024) a total of 18,625Kg of Cotton seed is to be distributed.
“Alive to the fact that cotton yields are greatly enhanced under irrigation, the county supports this noble idea. A collaborative effort with the national government is in full gear to support Farmer Led Irrigation Development,” Orengo said.
He said the Ugambe irrigation scheme under the Bondo Irrigation Cluster is slated for revival and rehabilitation, besides, the Irrigation Act is set for domestication with the county Irrigation development unit to be established for better implementation of irrigation development.
To enhance access to finance, the governor said finalizing details of a Cooperatives Development Fund will also go a long way in availing finances to societies for value addition.
He noted that the modernisation of Madiany Ginnery is currently undergoing and has invested Sh 17 million and a further Sh 30 million earmarked for next year.
“This is not enough to transform at our optimal level,” Orengo added.
Siaya agriculture and food security chief officer Elizabeth Adongo reassured the county's commitment to supporting agriculture, which is the backbone of its economy, from production to consumption.
“We are well-prepared to provide extension services to farmers to help them grow cotton successfully. In collaboration with cooperatives and other stakeholders, we aim to ensure that we can process all cotton products and commercialize them effectively,” she said
The county’s goal, Adongo said, is to make cotton accessible across the board for farmers.