Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Friday distributed free seeds in Matungulu sub-county.
Hundreds of residents thronged Tala Township primary school playgrounds to receive donations as Ndeti launched the county government’s Chakula Mezani free seeds program.
“I flagged off a consignment of assorted seeds worth Sh34 million which we procured under our comprehensive food security program for Machakos residents,” Ndeti said.
Ndeti said she had directed the department of Agriculture to disburse the seeds to 1,500 vulnerable farmers in each of the 40 wards across the county.
“The identification of the beneficiaries was done by a committee comprised of members from offices of MCAs, agricultural extension officers, county administrators, chiefs and coordinators,” she said.
The county chief was accompanied by her deputy Francis Mwangangi alongside CECM nominees. Members of NGAO from Matungulu subcounty alongside senior police officers from the region also attended the event.
She said that was part of her administration’s commitment to implement a long-term solution to perennial food shortage in the county largely associated with global climate change.
Ndeti urged the residents to remain resilient and maximize their efforts in farming to ensure Machakos County is food secure.
“In this Chakula Mezani seeds programme, we will give our farmers the following farm inputs; 35 tons of maize seeds, 28 tons of beans seeds, 22 tons of green gram seeds, 28, 000 avocado seedlings, and 120 fish ponds,” Ndeti said.
Ndeti said she intends to make Machakos county food secure through modern farming methods and supporting farmers with subsidized farm inputs.