Governor Wanga distributes sunflower seeds to 7,000 farmers

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga distributed sunflower seeds to farmers at Rawinji Chief's Camp in Kasipul Kapondo. [James Omoro, Standard]

Homa Bay County government has embarked on promoting sunflower farming.

The county government has so far distributed certified sunflower seeds to 7,000 farmers with each receiving 27,250 kilograms of the seeds.

The county targets to have the seeds planted on more than 7,000 acres across the eight constituencies.

Governor Gladys Wanga, her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, and South Kasipul MCA Zakayo Ong'ondo presided over the distribution of the seeds at Rawinji chief's camp in Kasipul constituency.

The seeds were distributed to registered farmers. Governor Wanga said the initiative will empower the farmers and create employment.

"For the few years I have been in this office, I have discovered that the best way to create jobs for our citizens is through agriculture. We are promoting sunflower production to put money in the hands of our people," Wanga said.

The governor announced that the sunflower farmers will sell edible oil in the local market if they harvest desirable quantities.

She revealed that her administration will support the farmers with services such as tilling their land, supervision and extension services during propagation.

The county administration will also support the farmers with processing machines to produce cooking oil.

"We are going to support the farmers to ensure they grow the sunflower satisfactorily. Ultimately, we will support them with machines to enable them to produce their cooking oil for sale in our local markets," Wanga said.

She was optimistic that production of edible oil will help to eradicate poverty in the area.

Magwanga told the farmers to take the initiative seriously to ensure they harvest the targeted quantity of sunflowers.

"I urge every farmer to plant the seeds and exercise the best agricultural practices in nurturing them. This will enhance desirable harvests," he said.

The deputy governor who is also the CECM for Agriculture warned the farmers against using the seeds for wrong purposes.

"Keep the seeds or give them to your neighbour instead of selling them because we will catch up with you. We have all your phone contacts and we shall be visiting your farms," Magwanga said.

Ong'ondo told the farmers that sunflower production would boost their livelihoods and create jobs.

He urged the farmers to be role models to residents.

"Sunflower has made many millionaires, let our people embrace this venture to augment our efforts of creating jobs in the county," Ong'ondo said.