The County Government of Kiambu has started distributing farm in-puts worth Sh103 million to farmers.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi said the inputs whose distribution started Thursday, include certified maize seeds worth Sh34 million, and coffee fertilizer for cooperatives valued at Sh45 million which will largely benefit coffee farmers.
Others include one-month-old improved kienyeji chicks worth Sh18 million and 60, 000 hass avocado seedlings worth Sh5.1 million.
According to the governor, the maize seeds and fertilizer were sourced from Kenya National Trade Corporations (KNTC).
He also said that the improved kienyeji chickens were from Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organisation (KARLO), while the avocado seedlings were bought from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
"Working on ensuring that we reach 100 percent food and nutritional security through direct input from the county as well as creating an enabling environment that helps partnerships thrive,” the governor said.
“The seeds distributed are fast-growing, drought resistant and suited for the different agroecological zones thus building the resilience of agricultural and food production systems," Wamatangi said.
The county, he said, will also distribute fingerlings worth Sh1.7 million that will be sourced from Kenya Fisheries, beans as well as three-month piglets to be given to youth and women groups.
The program, which he said is deliberately leveraging on the ongoing rains, is meant to ensure the county produces sufficient food for consumption by its 3.1 million people and for commercial purposes.
This is the second time distribution is happening in the county within four months, with the governor saying they distributed another Sh25 million worth of certified improved maize seeds and 30,000 hass avocado seedlings to farmers in December last year.
Wamatangi added that the county was shifting towards building the resilience of agricultural and food production systems in the face of climate change and fostering the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, particularly among vulnerable, smallholder farmers.
Farmers applauded the governor for such a move saying the government should also expand its farmers' training so that they can produce more.
“We are happy since we know after a short period of time, we shall start reaping. Otherwise, we still have to be taught so that we can reach as many farmers as possible,” said Simon Njenga, a dairy farmer.