The County Government of West Pokot has embarked on drought mitigation programmes to cushion residents in famine-prone areas against starvation. This week, through the Department of Agriculture, Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo rolled out a Sh20 million drought prevention programme.
"I am committed to rewriting the story of West Pokot through initiatives that boost food security. It's time to invest in long-term measures and break the vicious cycle of over-reliance on relief food", Governor Lonyangapuo said Saturday while addressing Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs and Village Elders in Kishaunet.
Through the initiative, 440,000 kilograms of drought-resistant maize seeds and 5000 bags of fertilizers will be distributed to farmers for free to plant during this rainy season in the county's semi-arid areas.
The programme targets the vulnerable in the society which include the poverty-stricken, disabled, widows, orphaned children among others. The County's County's Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture Geoffrey Lipale has met chiefs and their assistants, who will assist in the identification of beneficiaries of the seeds and fertilisers.
Additional efforts have also been put in place to make West Pokot food secure through the acquisition of customised fertiliser.
For a very long time, farmers have used fertiliser that is not compatible with their soil needs. To address this gap, the county tasked MEA Limited to conduct soil tests in order to establish the appropriate fertiliser. Last week, CECM Agriculture Mr Lipale received an analysis report detailing the deficiency in the soil nutrients. The samples were obtained from 10 wards.
The analysis, received at Kishaunet Showground, will be used to manufacture blended fertiliser to meet the soil inadequacies highlighted in the report. This is one way of enhancing food security through effective farming techniques.
The county has also dispatched county tractors to till lands for residents at a subsidised fee. Over a thousand acres have been ploughed.
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