Kerio Valley farmers to earn over Ksh73M from sale of sorghum and maize

Farmers in three irrigation schemes in Arror ward along the Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet county, are set to earn over Ksh73 million from the sale of sorghum and maize seeds to Kenya Seed Company.

The Elgeyo Marakwet county executive for agriculture Edwin Kibor, said farmers at the 400 acres Chepkum irrigation scheme will receive Ksh22 million from the Kenya Seed Company after selling maize seeds, which they harvested in the first planting season.

They will also earn Ksh20 million after they received 2 tonnes of the seredo sorghum variety for this planting season. A Special variety of that does not attract birds.

Speaking when handing over the seeds to the Chepkum farmers Cooperative Society, Kibor said with proper management, they are expected to harvest 520 metric tonnes of sorghum, which will give them Ksh20 million.

The Arror ward agricultural officer Justus Kemboi said farmers in the Kamsiwet irrigation scheme will earn Ksh15 million, while those in the Kabanon-Kapkamak scheme will receive Sh16 million from the sale of sorghum.

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“With the ongoing rains, I urge our farmers to take advantage and grow the sorghum. The rains are very encouraging,” he said.

Kibor said with peace returning in Kerio Valley, farmers from the area who had moved out due to conflict are now returning and engaging in farming.

“The Kerio Valley is quite productive and with irrigation the area has the capacity to feed the country,” he said.

Most farms in the area do not need fertilizer due to fertile soil but with planting taking place twice a year the farmers need to use fertilizer.

By Our Reporter

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