CS Mithika Linturi pledges to make farming pay after opening Kitale Show

CS Mithika Linturi (right) at a stall during the North Rift National Agricultural Show in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Linturi said there was enough seed maize at KSC for next year's planting season.

"I have visited Kenya Seed Company and I am impressed with the management led by MD Fred Oloibe. I assure our farmers that we have enough seeds for the next planting season," he said.

He explained the government's programme to make agriculture a low cost venture to boost food production and reduced food prices.

He said the national and county governments will partner to facilitate training of farmers and equip them with useful technologies to enhance food production.

"When farmers are well equipped, there are high chances for them to increase earnings and production," he added.

He also said the government will work with counties to establish county food reserves to tame post-harvest losses.

He was however reluctant to respond to a question whether the government intends to buy this season's maize from farmers, who have already started harvesting.

On the ravaging drought in some counties, Linturi said an off-take programme to reduce loses has been launched.