Homa Bay should produce at least 10.4 million tonnes of cotton yearly for the county to lead in the crop's production, Governor Gladys Wanga has said.
Black soil and good climate in the lake region favour the growth of cotton, making the county ideal for its production.
Production of cotton used to be popular in the 1970s-1990s before it started to decline, which was linked to lack of support from the previous national government and low price.
This saw many of the farmers abandon cotton for other crops, while some turned to fishing in Lake Victoria.
But the governor hopes to change this by reviving cotton production to enable the county to become the chief producer of the crop.
“Homa Bay wants to embark on serious production of cotton as it was before. My government is committed to revive its production to economically transform the county,” Wanga said.
On Tuesday, the devolved government distributed Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton seeds worth Sh27 million to 35,307 farmers for planting.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative dubbed Pamba Mwandu Programme (Cotton is Wealth) at Olare village in Rangwe constituency, Wanga urged the farmers to ensure they plant and weed their farms for better yields.
The farmers are organised into cooperative societies. Partners such as Rivatex, Rift Valley Products and Food and Agriculture Organization have been approached to support the production.
Bt is a genetically modified variety of cotton which is resistant to pests. It yields quicker and in larger quantities than conventional cotton.
The county intends to increase acreage of land from 13,000-19,000 hectares for growing the crop under the National Agricultural Value Chains Development Projects.
High production will enable the establishment of a ginnery in the county.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with a company known as Rift Valley Product that it will establish a ginnery in Homa Bay if our farmers produce at least one million metric tonnes of cotton,” Wanga said.
The governor added that cotton is a significant crop which can transform the lives of residents, and urged them to embrace its farming.
“The price of cotton is expected to increase from Sh50 to Sh72 per kg. We’re deliberate because cotton production will give the residents an opportunity to have money in their pockets,” she said.
“Let farmers remain focused to enable them get wealth and transform their lives.”
Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga warned farmers against misuse of the seeds.
“Any farmer who has received the seeds must plant them. We will visit their farm and anybody who fails to plant will return to us the seeds or money which is equivalent to the cost of buying the seeds,” Magwanga said.
He said cotton production is going to enhance jobs creation for the youth in the county.
“Let young people understand that even white collar jobs emanate from crop production. Production of cotton will enhance establishment of a ginnery which will create white collar jobs too,” Magwanga said.
