14 farmer groups from potato growing zones in Elgeyo Marakwet County have received solar powered irrigation kits under agricultural sector development support program (ASDSP II).
The program will see these farmer groups take part as pilot demo farms in potato seed multiplication across the county.
During the handing over, Agriculture & Irrigation Chief Officer Timothy Kiptum noted that the equipment will go a long way in ensuring that farmers get maximum yield all year round.
“We have been experiencing erratic rains and this equipment will go a long way in ensuring farm produce gets sufficient even during dry season” he said.
He added that the county has been championing farmer support program especially in this period of covid 19 as part of county efforts in economy recovery.
The program coordinator Jane Talam said the program will ensure that the county becomes self reliant in producing certified potato seed.
She noted that Elgeyo Marakwet is known to be the second highest potato producer after Nyandarua in the Country.
“We want to see elgeyo makwet producing certified seeds for other regions to source from us”. Said Talam.
Furthermore, they are training farmer groups on the best management practice for potato seeds multiplication.
In addition, they have provided farmers with various farm inputs.
ASDSP II is supporting three value chains which include potato, dairy and indigenous poultry, so far, ASDSP II is targeting to distribute 30,000 chicks so far 15,000 chicks have been distributed.
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