Siaya County rice farmers are in for a big boost after Governor James Orengo secured a meeting to fast-track the Ksh 4 billion allocated for the rice farming program by President William Ruto-led government.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 10, Orengo, who met with the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, revealed the rice production program would cost Ksh4 billion.
“(I) held a meeting with senior staff of the Ministry of Agriculture led by Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi in Nairobi where the national government announced a Khs 4 billion rice production programme with Siaya earmarked among the counties to benefit from it,” read the statement.
The Ministry, while confirming the meeting, revealed that they discussed how the two levels of government would work together in promoting agricultural extension services.
“Siaya Governor Hon. James Orengo has this morning paid a courtesy call to CS Mithika Linturi at Kilimo House.
"The two discussed national agricultural and livestock programs which could benefit Siaya County to increase agricultural productivity and income generation,”
While speaking during the Jamhuri day celebrations in December 2022, Ruto revealed his plans to revive the ailing rice production sector.
“In the next three years, the government plans to double the land under irrigation to 1.4 million acres.
“Of these, 200,000 acres will be under rice irrigation and 500,000 acres under other food crops. Rice production in Bunyala, the Tana Delta, Rohole in Garissa, Mwea and Ahero will take priority,” announced the Head of State.
On average, Kenyans consume 720,000 metric tonnes of rice annually against a production capacity of less than 100,000 metric tonnes.
During the campaign period, Ruto illustrated his plans to resuscitate the agricultural sector.
He undertook to establish a Ksh30 billion revolving fund, which will be expected to provide access to capital and farm inputs such as seeds and fertilisers.
This, he added, would double or even triple agricultural output. For Ruto, agriculture is the real solution to the high cost of living being experienced in the country.
