Keiyo farmers to benefit from free pyrethrum seedlings

By FRED KIBOR

Over 2000 farmers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County are set to benefit from pyrethrum seedling offer in a move aimed at alleviating poverty in the region.

The farmers in Keiyo District are expected to use the offer to revamp the sub-sector, which has stalled for the last one decade.

The programme, which is set to be rolled out across the pyrethrum producing counties in the North Rift by August this year targets to deliver over 100,000 tonnes of dry flowers annually. Shiloh Farms Development Organisation (SHIFADO), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which initiated passion fruit and mango farming in the region, is sponsoring the latest initiative.

The organisation encourages farmers to embrace the once thriving pyrethrum sector as an alternative cash crop after the passion fruit venture was affected by a disease.

Passion fruits had turned around the economic fortunes of the residents and the new pyrethrum initiative seeks to achieve this feat.

John Kangogo, the organisation’s chairman said high poverty levels in the country could not be alleviated unless the residents are motivated and encouraged to diversify their farming activities.