The county government of Meru is supplying drought recovery farm input to deal with the perennial drought in semi-arid areas.
The input includes 30 tonnes of certified maize seeds, 25 tonnes of fertiliser, 200kg seeds of vegetables, and 34 tonnes of green grams and will be distributed to farmers in 30 wards across the county.
The drought-prone areas bordering Isiolo and the Northern arid regions of Buuri, Tigania and Igembe will be prioritised.
Governor Kiraitu Murungi said his administration is focused on and committed to improving agriculture for increased food and household incomes and empowering women as they are primary caregivers to families.
“We want to empower our farmers so that we can end the narrative of droughts in this county. Our farmers have the potential to farm and produce enough food for the county residents and all that they need is empowerment,” Kiraitu said.
The governor added that the input would be distributed through the Twaweza Programme, where women are organised in groups.
“This is well in line with the aim of my government to uplift and empower Meru women economically, politically, and socially to increase their visibility in our vision and clarion call of making Meru great," Kiraitu said.
The county government, through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project, has so far spent Sh463 million to improve agriculture.
Some Sh271 million has gone to farmers' groups and Sh98 million to cooperatives, while Ntharene banana market in Imenti South is being built at a cost of Sh94 million.
Some 33, 000 county residents will directly benefit.
The kienyeji chicken rearing initiative (KOPIA Project) valued at Sh200 million is also expected to change the fortunes of Meru farmers.
The drought recovery project will be implemented through the departments of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and Education, Gender and Social Development through the Meru Twaweza Programme whose patron is the governor’s wife Priscilla Murungi.
