Farmers to receive relief seeds

By Patrick Kibet

Farmers in lower Eastern Province are set to benefit from a government initiative to distribute relief seeds during the short rains.

Speaking after flagging off the drought tolerant seeds, Minister for Agriculture Sally Kosgei said that the Government is focusing on assisting affected populations to recover from the recent drought.

"The German government has provided a grant of Sh114 million for purchase of relief seeds and construction of water harvesting facilities in drought hit areas of lower Eastern Province," said Dr Sally Kosgei.

Kosgei further said that 490 metric tonnes of assorted drought tolerant seeds worth Sh68,930,920 will be distributed under the programme and Sh42,598,360 will be used to construct water pans.

Already the Government has allocated Sh10.5 billion for mitigation measures in all sectors. About Sh5.458 billion has been used for relief food distribution to vulnerable populations.

Kosgei added that the Ministry of Agriculture has been mandated by drought steering committee to procure and distribute relief seeds worth Sh496 million.

German ambassador Margit Hellwig-Boette said that her government will support medium term investments aimed at increasing resilience of the affected population.

"The German government has added 14 million euros to existing programmes in health and agriculture activities currently implemented by GIZ on behalf of German government," said Mrs Hellwig-Boette.

Crisis meeting

Hellwig-Boette noted that arid and semi-arid areas have been experiencing problems in storing water hence the need for improved resource management and investment in irrigation.

Mrs Hellwig-Boette also lauded the Government for hosting the summit on the Horn of Africa crisis, a month ago.

In the summit, the Heads of States of East African countries adopted the "Nairobi strategy for enhanced partnership" to eradicate drought emergencies.