Farmers to get free cotton seeds to boost production

The government is set to distribute 15.8 tonnes of hybrid cotton seeds worth Sh51 million to farmers in renewed efforts to revitalise production.

Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana (pictured) yesterday said the seeds will be given out to farmers across the country before the onset of the planting season to augment their production.

 Mukhwana said the initiative was part of the government’s plan to revive cotton production, whose fortunes have declined over the years.

 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 realisation of the crop’s full productivity locally.

 “We have come up as line government ministries to ensure our farmers have enough seeds, especially as they prepare for the current planting season,” Mukhwana said at Ahero trading centre in Kisumu during the launch of an initiative to promote cotton production in Nyanza and Western regions.

Agriculture and Food Authority Director General Beatrice Nyamwamu reiterated the government’s commitment to transform the cotton industry in order to realise increased productivity. Nyamwamu noted that cotton production has been declining mainly due to unavailability of certified and good quality seeds and pest.