Bura cotton farmers get 30 tones of cotton seeds in revival plan

Farmers in the Bura Irrigation Scheme have a reason to smile following the government’s move to provide them with 30 tones of seeds for free.

The seeds, which will be planted on an initial 2,500 acres on the scheme located in Tana River County, are for multiplication.

The seeds produced from the project will be planted by farmers in the next planting season.

The distribution of the seeds is part of Kenya Kwanza’s ambitious goal of reviving and revitalizing several agricultural value chains including rice, dairy, edible oils and maize.

Tana River farmers and leaders welcomed the government’s plan to revive cotton growing saying it will be a major boost to the county’s economy.

“Farmers are ready to work with the government in its effort to revive the sector which holds significant potential for farmers and the economy in this region, ”said Abdi Madobe, chairman of the Irrigation Water Users Association, noting that farmers abandoned the crop due to multiplicity of challenges such as lack of reliable support and insufficient water supply.

The delivery of the free cotton seeds in Tana River comes barely two weeks after a similar quantity of seeds was given to farmers in Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Baringo County. 

The delivery of the seeds aligns with the objective of President William Ruto’s administration to resuscitate the sector and turn around its fortunes to the levels of the years gone by, when it was one of the critical drivers of economic growth.

The cotton value chain used to be among the top pillars of agriculture and the overall economy in the 1980s, providing livelihood and jobs to millions.

However, various factors conspired to detail the subsector.

“Bura Irrigation Scheme used to produce 40 per cent of the national cotton production, "said James Kirimi, the scheme’s manager.

Speaking during an event to deliver the seeds at the scheme on Wednesday, Kirimi cited low prices and poor quality seeds, as well as the lack of support for farmers among the major setbacks that brought the value chain to its knees.

Bura scheme has also been grappling with inadequate water supply, a challenge that the current government is looking to squarely address in its new mission to enable cotton growing to regain its lost glory.

President Ruto’s administration is keen to revive the sector to not only boost the livelihood of millions of Kenyans and deliver jobs to thousands of youth but also to reduce imports.

Currently, the country imports up to 70 per cent of lint, yet 24 counties have the potential to grow the crop.

Local textile firms such as Rivatex and Thika Cloth Mills are forced to import cotton from neighboring countries such as Uganda to plug the deficit.

“Our cotton demand is far higher than the country can supply," said Hesbon Olweny, a representative from Thika Cloth Mill.

Olweny’s sentiments are echoed by Rivatex Chief Executive Dr. Thomas Kipkurgat who noted that imports are a major hindrance to their expansion.

“Importing cotton drives up our operation costs, making our products uncompetitive in the market,” said Dr Kipkurgat, who was speaking last year during the signing of a contract with cotton farmers in Busia.

So what does the Kenya Kwanza administration seek to do differently to ensure increased cotton yields?

“The government is providing quality seeds and subsidized fertilizer as well as enhancing extension services,” said Henry Kinyua, President adviser on crops and value chains, noting that quality inputs will significantly drive up productivity.

“Aggregation, improved storage and value addition will also be key components of the government revival process,” he said.

The government, Kinyua added, is also committed to ensuring better prices for farmers by leveraging economies of scale.