Margaret Wangari, a beneficiary of Kiambu County Government’s maize and seeds distribution programme.
By OUR REPORTERFarmers in Kiambu are enjoying a bumper harvest of maize from their farmsfollowing the county government’s initiative, where they have been receivingcertified seeds and fertilizer.The programme to give farms inputs is part of Governor Kimani Wamatangi’splan to tackle food insecurity and economic empowerment.Most farmers are now harvesting maize, while for others; the crop is almostmaturing in farms.The Governor has since last year been distributing free hybrid maize and cropfertilizer to farmers across the county, and according to the County ExecutiveCommittee Member for Agriculture Mwenda Kiara, over 300,000 farmers havereceived farm inputs from the county administration.“We have made deliberate intentions to ensure food security in the county byproviding farm inputs to farmers. Even in the coming season, we are preparedto give inputs to over 60,000 farmers across the agricultural zones in ourcounty,” Mr Mwenda said.Ms Esther Wariara from Githunguri Sub-County is one of the beneficiaries ofthe free maize seeds and fertilizer from the county government of Kiambu.She received the farm inputs in September of last year and planted them onher farm, and now, she is harvesting the crop.“Before we started getting the farm inputs, I struggled to access quality seeds,which would affect the yield. Today, those people seeking maize flour in thelocal shop are making minimal sales because almost everyone in thecommunity is harvesting maize from their farms,” she said.Ms Margaret Wangari from Kwa Maiko in Ngewa Ward, in Githunguri Sub-County, said the county government has been ensuring that before rains start,farmers are always ready with seeds and fertilizer.She is harvesting the crop she planted in September last year and already hasseeds for planting in the next season.Mr David Wathika from Kihenjo village in Kaburu Ward, Lari Sub-County,received the farm inputs in November last year and immediately planted on hissmall farm.He has also been receiving visits from extension officers from the countygovernment for advice on best farming practices. He expects to startharvesting from next month.
Governor Wamatangi says the free farm inputs are meant to cushion thefarmers who, he said, incurred huge losses due to the prolonged drought thathit the country between 2020 and early to mid-2023, which left many peoplegrappling with hunger.President William Ruto has lauded farmers in Kiambu, saying that after aprolonged severe food shortage, the country was on a recovery trajectory, andKiambu County had emerged among the top food producers.