Boost to cereal farmers as Nakuru gets 12 mobile grain dryers from National Government

Cereal Farmers in Nakuru County have a reason to smile following a move by National Government to launch mobile grain dryers.

Nakuru County on Wednesday January 31, 2024 received 12 mobile grain dryers from the National Government.

According to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, the equipment will be distributed to all the 11 Sub-Counties.

This is a major boost to farmers as the the dryers will be used to reduce moisture content in cereals such as maize, beans, wheat among others before storage.

For many years, cereal farmers have continued to encounter post-harvest losses, but with the launch of the dryers, then this will be a thing of the past.

CS Linturi who was joined by Nakuru County Deputy Governor David Kones, flagged off the first batch of 5 driers, coupled with a consignment of long-rains subsidized fertilizer, that has been dispatched from the National Cereal and Produce Board depot in Nakuru to different parts of the County.

He affirmed the national Government commitment to collaborate with the Nakuru county to boost agriculture production.

“As a National Government, we shall continue to partner with the County Government of Nakuru towards enhanced production,” he said.

According to CS Linturi, this will be through offering subsidized fertilizer, dryers and later storage facilities to maximize on production and reduce on the post harvest losses.

On his part Nakuru Deputy Governor David  reiterated the potential that Nakuru county has on matters farm produce.

According to the DG, it only calls for incorporation of modern methods of farming.

“Nakuru as a County has the potential to produce over 500,000 tons of maize if modern farming methods can be applied to increase production per unit area,” stated Kones.

The DG was quick to laud the National Government on fertilizer subsidy program saying the program has gone a long way in addressing the high cost of input, with the County working around the clock towards post harvest management.

The event was also attended by Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture Dr. Paul Ronoh, Nakuru
County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara, County Executive for Agriculture Leonard Bor, Chief Officer for Agriculture Newton Mwaura, MCAs led by Chair, Agriculture committee Isabella Makori, NCPB Managing Director Joseph Kimote among others.

 

Pristone Mambili
Author: Pristone Mambili

A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.

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