The Nakuru government has plans to increase land under pyrethrum by 700 acres to double production.
The county has provided Sh25 million this financial year be spent in buying and growing seedlings to be distributed to farmers.
Agriculture county executive Immaculate Maina said the administration is committed to improving the lives of farmers through the revival of pyrethrum.
“In partnership with the American company Kentegra Limited, we aim to increase the acreage from the current 2,000 acres to 2,700 by December,” she said.
Maina said Eburru village in Gilgil subcounty will be the biggest beneficiary of much of the seedlings. Farmers there have shown greater interest in growing the crop, she said.
"Farmers who began planting this crop from when we started its revival have reaped the benefits. They are paid by Kentegra on delivery of dried pyrethrum," she said.
The county executive said the company buys the product every two weeks and pays farmers, while new growers are given fertilisers for free.
"We are cooperating with the company to ensure farmers reap maximum benefits of the product around this county," she added.
Maina spoke to the press during a field visit to Eburru village in Gilgil subcounty where tens of farmers have embraced pyrethrum growing.
She said the government will empower the Lake Naivasha Beach Management Units (BMUs) to protect the lake.
Maina said the BMUs will be used to help fight illegal fishing in the lake.
"We are working to see how best we can enhance the capacity of BMU's to ensure they play a part in safeguarding the lake from vices like overfishing and use of undersize nets," she said.
Lake Naivasha Boat Owners Association chairman David Kilo praised the move to empower the units noting that this would address the issue of poaching.
“The lake is currently facing tens of challenges mainly through poaching and we welcome the move by the county to empower the beach management units,” she said.
(edited by O. Owino)
