The Kakamega county government has donated 120,000 kilos of maize seed to poor households.
Other donations came from seed companies. They included Western Seed Company, which gave out 24,000 packets of 1kg and Pannar and Pioneer 990 packets of 1k.
The national government also supplied 16,655 assorted fruit seedlings.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the distribution was taking place in 12 subcounties to enable beneficiaries to plant on time.
He spoke at the county headquarters on Tuesday
Oparanya said under the subsidy programme, they procured 150,000 bags of 25kg each for planting and a similar quantity of top dressing fertiliser as well as 156,000 of 2kg packets of maize seeds.
“The farmers pay 60 per cent while the county meets 40 per cent of the overall cost of the inputs. We expect to raise about Sh300 million in revenue,” he said.
Oparanya said those who had registered had been collecting their stocks at the stores.
The county head said despite the county being endowed with fertile soil and favourable climate, it is food insecure.
Oparanya said the subsidised inputs initiative has led to an increase in maize production from two million 90kg bags in 2014 to the current 2.8 million bags.
He said they have set aside Sh25 million this fiscal year for the revitalisation of the cooperatives to achieve effective storage and marketing of the farm produce.
The governor pointed out that Sh18 million would be given out as grants to 40 cooperatives across the county while Sh5 million would go to building the capacity of the officials for efficient management of the societies.
Edited by A.N
