EMBRACE DIVERSIFICATION – RACHEL OKUMU TO FARMERS

The Agricultural sector is one of the highly funded sectors in the County Government of Kakamega with a development expenditure budget of over Ksh1 billion for this Financial Year 2020/21.The CEC Member for Agriculture, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Irrigation Madam Rachel Okumu is calling on farmers to re-double their efforts by transforming agriculture into a dynamic and commercial sector, with a potential of stimulating high productivity. Madam Okumu was speaking during a fish farmers field day celebrated at Lukova Community Area, Chevaywa Ward, Lugari Sub-County on Friday afternoon.”As fish farmers from this region, you should also think of developing poultry farming as supplement to fish farming, and the already established crop farming,” she advised.She said her Ministry will work closely with Members of the County Assembly of Kakamega from the Agriculture Committee to enhance the allocation for Extension services to enable extension officers to adequately provide timely and professional assistance to farmers at the grassroots.The CECM also encouraged farmers to join Cooperatives through their various groups terming it the easiest and best way to receive Government support and funding. “The Ministry will also soon begin rating the performance of field officers, an exercise that will guide promotions and reward of the officers,” she added.County Director of Fisheries Mr. Zephaniah Otieno challenged farmers to maximise on the region’s favourable environment and good soils. Lugari Sub-County has 524 documented fish farmers’ with 675 fish ponds according to a recent survey conducted by IFAD ABDP. The event was also attended by area MCA Hon. Baraza Wambulwa who is also a member of the Agricultural Committee at the Assembly, representative of the Sub-County Administrator Madam Amina Jamal who is the area Ward Administrator, Matete ACC Peninah Muthoni and Mr. Norman Munala IFAD project coordinator among other Government officers from the Ministry of Agriculture.