Business

State renews efforts to start production of cotton in Nyanza

Monday, March 20th, 2023 00:40 | By
President hints at lifting of GMO cotton embargo
Cotton plantation. PHOTO/Courtesy

The government will distribute 15.8 metric tonnes of hybrid cotton seeds worth Sh51 million to farmers in renewed efforts to revitalise production of the commodity.

 Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana said the seeds will be given out to the farmers countrywide before the onset of this year’s planting season to augment their production.

Mukhwana said distribution of the farm inputs was part of the bold steps taken by the government to revive cotton production, whose fortunes have declined over the years.

Revamping production

He said the move seeks to grow the agriculture sub-sector as well as promote the Buy-Kenya-Build-Kenya strategy which aims to encourage and enhance the consumption of Kenyan products. 

The PS said despite rigorous efforts put by the government and agricultural partners to revamp cotton production, lack of quality seeds remained a major challenge to the realization of the crop’s full productivity locally.

“We have come up as line government ministries to ensure that our farmers have enough seeds especially as they prepare for the current planting season. This will enable them to timely grow the crops to realise better yields,” said Mukhwana in Kisumu during the launch of an initiative to promote cotton production.

Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) director general Beatrice Nyamwamu said the government is committed to transform the cotton industry in order to realise increased productivity.

She said cotton production has been declining over the years due to lack of certified, good quality seeds and pest challenges. To reverse the trend, she said plans are underway to set up five modern ginneries across the country as the government aims to revolutionize cotton production.

The government through the State department of Cooperatives, has commenced establishment of modern ginneries, the first one being Luanda ginnery in Funyula, Busia County.

“The aim is to reduce the cost of transportation of seed cotton to ginneries for farmers as well as improving efficiencies. In order to optimize utilization of these ginneries it is necessary to establish clusters around cooperative unions and counties,” said Nyamwamu.

Consequently, the director general said the agricultural agency in collaboration with other stakeholders is developing clusters for cotton farmers to realize economies of scale.

“This will improve bargaining power for farmers, improve farm gate prices as well as facilitate aggregation of produce. Inputs can also be acquired collectively by farmers at competitive prices,” she added.

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