Irish potato farmers in Bungoma county have a reason to smile following the start of the Farmers Field Schools programme, a project funded by German NGO GiZ .
The NGO, in collaboration with the county government, held its first field engagement in Kibingei ward, Kimilili subcounty on Saturday. The project aims at empowering farmers in different wards through training and equipping groups with the necessary skills.
This project is expected to spread swiftly to 22 other wards across the county’s nine constituencies.
Deputy Governor Charles Kibanani Ngome thanked GiZ for being a valuable partner to the county.
"We will support all farming activities in the county and closely monitor various projects to ensure their success," the deputy governor said.
Agriculture executive Mathews Makanda advised the farmers to join the Potato Producers Cooperative Society and create a wide market for their produce.
He urged farmers to register with the crop insurance programme.
Kenyan farmers produce Sh50 billion worth of Irish potatoes out of which only tubers worth Sh900,000 come from Bungoma county.
This is bound to shift tremendously in the county's favour if the farmers take advantage of the incentive.
The project comes barely a month after Irish potatoes farmers in Mt Elgon complained of being exploited by brokers at Chwele market.
Also present during the launch was MCA Aggrey Mulongo, his Elgon ward Hillary Kiptalam and directors from the ministry, among other invited guests.