State in bid to improve farmers' incomes

The Government has announced a new initiative with county governments to resuscitate the agricultural sector with a view to reducing poverty and food insecurity. According to Ag , Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, the Government will pursue the agenda through the Governors Round Table Forum that drives the agricultural agenda for counties.

He said the Government has already restructured agriculture sector institutions to respond to emerging needs at the county level. Speaking during the official opening of the Nairobi International Trade Fair 2015, the Cabinet Secretary termed recent efforts as key to commercialising Kenya’s agriculture from the county level.

“The establishment of a vibrant national irrigation scheme, which will free up more arable land for farming, is a testament that the Government is committed to fuel agriculture’s economic growth in line with vision 2030,” said Mohamed, adding that it will complement farming activities.

He added that livestock production will soon benefit from innovative ideas that will aid livestock farmers. “A national livestock insurance scheme is underway and soon an acceptable livestock evaluation system will be introduced to make it easier for pastoralists to access credit,” said Mohamed. With this system, the Cabinet Secretary said, livestock farmers can consistently check the quality of their livestock which in turn assuring better healthcare for the animals and improved prices for sale.