Ksh 38.9b set aside for agriculture commercialization

The government has allocated Ksh 38.9 billion to go to commercialization of the Agriculture sector.

Speaking during at the annual West Pokot Agricultural Show and Trade Fair, the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy Principal Secretary, Professor Micheni Ntiba, said that the money will go a long way in boosting productivity in the sector.

He urged Kenyans to embrace commercialization of the sector by acquiring farm input machineries.

“Farming forms the backbone of the Kenyan economy and is the single-most largest economic activity employing over 75% of the rural population,” said the PS.

Micheni also recognized the role of the arid counties in livestock production but urged the residents to diversify their activities to include production of crops through irrigation.

West Pokot Governor, Simon Kachapin, said that the County Government of West Pokot will ensure that good infrastructure is provided for residents to fasten access to market their produce.

“Farmers should move from subsistence farming to commercial. West Pokot depends on agriculture for majority of its revenue which will assist in eradicating hunger and poverty,” he said.

Elsewhere, Meru County Executive for Agriculture, Janaro Guantai, has challenged the youth to try a hand in fish farming.

Speaking at Kanyakine Fish Factory in Imenti South sub-county during the County Fisheries, Value Addition and Marketing Field day, Guantai said: “Fish farming is a cool business and will take our youth far since the national government has constructed a fish processing plant in Meru now.”

Additional reporting by Josiah Mugo. Written by Diing Magot