Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi has hailed the working relationship between the national and county governments to enhance food security and nutrition.
CS Linturi made the remarks on Wednesday at Kenya Seed Company Kitale offices in Trans Nzoia where he joined farmers during the institution’s Annual Research Field Day.
He was accompanied by Kenya Seed Company chairperson Purity Ngirici. This year’s event is themed, “promoting affordable climate resilient seeds for food security and nutrition”.
According to Linturi, the mutual working relationship between the two levels of government had witnessed what he termed as commendable development within the agriculture sector.
“I have traversed most parts of the country, especially grain-growing regions, and I can therefore confidently inform members of public that this year the country will record bumper harvests,” he said.
The CS said the closer cooperation between the national government and Trans Nzoia county, had led to positive changes in agriculture and livestock sectors.
“Even though agriculture, which is the main driver of our economy is a devolved function, I want to assure Kenyans the national government will continue supporting it,” Linturi said.
He cited the fertiliser subsidy programme as one of the several interventions by the government aimed at supporting agricultural activities in all the devolved units.
“I'm happy to note Governor George Natembeya lived up to his promise by recruiting 50 field extension officers whose role in building capacity for farmers on modern farming methods has immensely contributed to expected maize bumper harvest in this county," Linturi said.
The CS urged area farmers to continue registering for the fertiliser subsidy, whose price has been further reduced from Sh3,500 to Sh2,500 per 50kg bag.
“Registering for fertiliser subsidy programme is a continuous process,” Linturi said.
