More than three hundred farmers at Weiwei Irrigation Scheme in West Pokot have received 100o bags of fertiliser and 7,500kg of maize seeds from the county government to boost food security.
The move is aimed at fighting hunger and dependence on relief food.
The program dubbed Operation Ondoa Njaa is to make farmers self-reliant.
Most residents depend on pastoralism and relief food from the government and well-wishers.
Weiwei Irrigation Scheme Farmers Association chairperson Mark Meut said they expect to get 1. 2 million kilogrammes of maize seeds this planting season.
"We have opted to use DAP fertiliser which was approved in 2013 after soil testing found it suitable for this region,” Meut said.
He said they have signed an MoU with Kenya Seed Company to improve production.
“Last year, we incurred a loss of over Sh22 million after experiencing floods. That’s why we have planted early," he said.
Meut asked both national and county governments to hasten completion of phase three of the scheme to improve lives.
The scheme is relied on by residents of Weiwei, Chesegon, Masol and those from neighbouring Baringo and Turkana counties.
He said more land was required to expand the scheme for food security.
Speaking at Sigor during the launch of the planting season, Governor John Lonyangapuo said they have put in place strategies to combat hunger.
Lonyangapuo said that they were reviving the scheme for residents to adopt crop farming to improve food security.
“We are partnering with the national government, area leaders and other stakeholders to enhance agriculture business in this region,” Lonyangapuo said.
Agriculture executive Francis Kitalawiyan said they have set aside enough funds for agriculture to boost food security.
The Weiwei scheme was started in 1984 by the Italian Government after drought hit Kenya. Phase three, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017, is yet to be put under crops. About 50,000 West Pokot residents are among millions of Kenyans in dire need of food.
