Some 7,500 smallholder maize farmers in Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Meru will receive 1,700 tonnes of free fertiliser to boost yields in the coming short rains season.
The donation is from Yara East Africa under its international food security initiative and comprises 34,000 bags of 50kg each.
The Sh800 million Action Africa- Thriving Farms, Thriving Lives initiative also has a capacity building component through digital platforms and extension services on good agronomical practices.
At the launch ceremony on Friday in Chuka town, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki emphasised the importance of providing solutions that will help improve soil health and crop nutrition.
“Digital solutions such as access to data on correct use of farm inputs and prediction of weather patterns are the way to future farming. This will help improve yields, hence increase profits to the farming communities,” he said.
Njuki, who is also Council of Governors agriculture committee chair, said the production of quality food depended on the right farming and quality assurance practices.
He said quality food production translated into profitability, which in turn attracted the youth to agriculture as a means to earn a livelihood.
Senior Yara East Africa commercial director Vitalis Wafula said they were keen to alleviate hunger and enhance food security.
“The Yara fertiliser donation is aimed at providing continuity in the food supply chain by enhancing maize production during the short rain season across potential regions,” he said.
Wafula said the free fertiliser will boost maize production to cushion the country from the disruptive effects of Covid-19.
“We are pulling our resources together to ensure that the farmers receive the desired training through extension services and use of digital platforms on seed selection, preferred plant spacing, proper fertiliser selection and application to double or triple yields,” he said.
The donation came three days after a similar exercise in Kiambu and Murang'a where 1,000 tonnes of fertiliser given out on Tuesday.
Yara's international food security initiative aims at giving 13,000 tonnes of fertiliser to 73,000 smallholder farmers in 22 counties.
The organisations expects a production of 173,000 tonnes of maize to feed more than a million people annually, Wafula said.
- mwaniki fm
