DP Ruto urges farmers to reduce reliance on maize

DP Ruto urges farmers to reduce reliance on maize

Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed politicians opposed to food diversification from maize farming to other crops, accusing them of thinking small.

Speaking during the ongoing Nakuru International Investment Conference 2018 in Naivasha, the DP instead challenged farmers in the country, saying it is time for them to think outside the box.

“I heard some people say the other day that they are not interested in diversification because you cannot put avocados in a store or you cannot feed avocados on initiates,” said DP Ruto.

“People are producing for markets to export while others are thinking of how to produce to go and put in a store. That is how low some people think in our country,”

This comes even as his earlier calls to farmers to substitute maize farming for avocados and macadamia continue to elicit sharp reactions across the political divide.

Led by Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny and Moiben MP Silas Tiren, the leaders have lately been throwing jibes at the Deputy President, accusing him of frustrating maize farmers for his own benefit.

The DP however disclosed the government’s intention to triple rice production to reduce the reliance on maize.

“We will increase rice production by 300 percent and potatoes by 5 percent,” said the DP.

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Deputy President William Ruto Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui Nakuru International Investment Conference

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