Migori County distributes rice seeds to farmers

Farmers harvest rice at the Lower Kuja Irrigation scheme. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

More than 100 farmers at Lower Kuja irrigation scheme in Nyatike sub-county, Migori county have received 10,000 kilograms of rice seeds to boost production.

Agriculture CEC Lucas Mosenda who led the distribution of seeds to farmers, said that they are targeting to increase yield and improve food security.

"With the necessary resources, our farmers will be able to increase their productivity and enhance the quality of their yield," Mosenda said.

About 100 additional farmers are expected to receive seeds in a couple of weeks.

"We recognize that agriculture is not just a means of sustenance but an essential pathway towards economic prosperity," Mosenda stated.

The CEC assured of the county's commitment to supporting farmers to improve production and contribute to the region's development.

Mosenda encouraged residents to engage in rice farming.

The seed distribution comes at a time when farmers in Lower Kuja have begun to embrace rice farming.

Some farmers had abandoned rice farming for maize while other rice farms were turned into grazing fields.

Rice farmers are optimistic about getting high yields.

"With the seeds, I hope to reap more from my three-acre land," Victor Ouma, a rice farmer at the Lower Kuja irrigation scheme said.

So far, several private investors have come up with rice mills within the area where they buy paddy from farmers.

Nyakweri Rice Mill buys rice from the farmers' cooperative society.