At least 40,000 farmers in Tharaka Nithi County will receive free assorted certified seeds from the devolved government this rainy season.
Speaking during disbursement exercise at Kanthanje chief’s camp in Igambang’ombe ward on Tuesday Governor Muthomi Njuki said each farmer will receive at least two kilograms of either, maize, beans or green grams depending on the region.
He said since the launch of the initiative four years ago, food security has immensely improved in the county.
He said the county used to experience perennial starvation but following the programme that also involves the offering of extension services to the farmers, the region is now food secure.
The county boss said most of the farmers produce enough food for domestic use while others have surplus for sale.
“My target is to ensure that my people do not depend on relief food from the government but produce enough for domestic consumption and even for sale to meet other needs,” said Governor Njuki.
He said his government is working on eliminating middlemen to ensure that companies buy farm produce direct from farmers.
Njuki noted that the county has built a cereal store with a capacity of 10,000 bags at Irunduni in Tharaka North Sub County where farmers from the region can store their produce awaiting the buyer or improving of prices.
He added that on the upper part of the county is the Mitheru cereal store in Maara constituency and Magumoni store in Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency.
