Africa-Press – Kenya. Siaya governor James Orengo on Saturday launched subsidized tractor services to help locals plough their farms ahead of the next planting season in early 2023.
This came exactly 107 days after Orengo’s assumption of the office of the governor and in line with his campaign manifesto. During the launch in Ragengni in North Uyoma Ward, Orengo directed that the service shall be availed at Sh2000 per acre.
He launched five tractors. Private tractor services currently charge at least Sh3000 to do the job. Orengo also directed that free quality seeds shall be given to all farmers in the county.
But this will be preceded by tests to determine soil pH and type to know the best seeds that are best suited for each region. Once the ploughing is done, the county government will also avail subsidized fertilizers to farmers.
The subsidy, he said, will be greater than that that has been promised by the national government. The governor called on locals to change their mindset and embrace crop farming to ensure food security in the devolved unit.
“We are fixing our minds onto the issue of farming to kick out hunger from our county,” Orengo said.
He explained that over 1,550 square kilometres of the 2,000 square kilometres of land mass in Siaya are arable. “We have the tractor service to mechanize our agriculture and make Siaya food secure.”
Orengo said that the mechanization will not stop at ploughing but through harvesting to value addition. Orengo explained that the decision to start ploughing in Rarieda is due to weather patterns in the county.
After Rarieda is done, the tractors will move to Bondo, Gem, Alego Usonga, Ugunja and Ugenya in the said order. Five more tractors will be availed to fasten the ploughing process.
The recently approved supplementary budget by the County Assembly of Siaya allocated Sh120 million for the purchase of certified seeds and subsidized fertilizers and Ksh31 million for the purchase of tractors. Siaya county is currently a net importer of food from Uganda or neighbouring counties such as Nakuru, Busia, Kakamega and Kisii.
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