Laikipia Farmers Turning To Cotton In Readiness For Mountex Revival
Updated on: Dec 18, 2020
Laikipia has huge potential to be a leading cotton producer, this is according to a report by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries after successful completion of pilot project on cotton farming.
The pilot project was started back in 2019 and initially targeted 8 wards: Tigithi, Ngobit, Thingithu, Ol-Moran, Sosian, Salama, Rumuruti and Umande.
In each ward, the department enrolled one farmer whom they gave ordinary cotton seeds to plant in a acre trial plot. The department then carried out assessment of the performance of the crop through regular farm visits.
During this initial trial, the 8 farmers whom we enrolled were able to harvest over 100 kgs of cotton. It was evident then that the crop could perform better, says Mr. John Hutu
Prices for the crop is targeted to be Kshs. 52 and Kshs. 26 for grade 1 and grade 2 respectively.
He says that the ordinary cotton seeds are susceptible to attack by pests which strains the cotton but a good variety like Biotechnology (BT) cotton is tolerant to pests interference. This BT cotton will be planted in the next phase. They hope that the new variety of BT cotton will increase production as it is well adaptive to drought and hence well suitable for growing in Laikipia.
The success of the trial plots attracted interest from Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) which promised to supply the county with BT cotton seeds.
On November 20, 2020, AFA delivered 540 kgs of these seeds which the department is currently distributing to 331 farmers recruited for upscale production.
The department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has mapped 11 wards which they found to be suitable for growing the crop. The distribution will involve three more wards; Nanyuki, Mukogodo East and Segera.
The department is targeting a total of 300 acres for the large-scale farming of the cotton within the county by the end of May,2021.
It was evident that the crop could do well in those areas, Laikipia East experiences short rains which would benefit the crop, Mr. Hutu says.
The BT cotton seeds will be distributed to support the growth of the crop in Laikipia East and North which are favored by short rains season. In Laikipia West, the department will distribute the seeds to be planted during the long rain season.
With inputs support and good soil nutrition, cotton crop can perform well,says Mr. Hutu
The farmers will benefit from readily market as the AFA will be responsible for finding buyer of the crop. Plans are also in the pipeline to revival the Mountex industry which will ensure access to market for farmers.
According to the report by the department, the average height of the crop was 5.2 feet with good bolls formation. The report notes that in Bondeni village, Ol Moran ward, Plant growth is vigorous and the area has a good production per unit area. Hutu adds.
The diversification to the growing of the cotton will enable the county to create employment opportunities and benefit the farmers well. The good quality of the cotton will also ensure that they textile industry has enough raw material for the operationalization once the revival is complete.
The pilot project was started back in 2019 and initially targeted 8 wards: Tigithi, Ngobit, Thingithu, Ol-Moran, Sosian, Salama, Rumuruti and Umande.
In each ward, the department enrolled one farmer whom they gave ordinary cotton seeds to plant in a acre trial plot. The department then carried out assessment of the performance of the crop through regular farm visits.
During this initial trial, the 8 farmers whom we enrolled were able to harvest over 100 kgs of cotton. It was evident then that the crop could perform better, says Mr. John Hutu
Prices for the crop is targeted to be Kshs. 52 and Kshs. 26 for grade 1 and grade 2 respectively.
He says that the ordinary cotton seeds are susceptible to attack by pests which strains the cotton but a good variety like Biotechnology (BT) cotton is tolerant to pests interference. This BT cotton will be planted in the next phase. They hope that the new variety of BT cotton will increase production as it is well adaptive to drought and hence well suitable for growing in Laikipia.
The success of the trial plots attracted interest from Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) which promised to supply the county with BT cotton seeds.
On November 20, 2020, AFA delivered 540 kgs of these seeds which the department is currently distributing to 331 farmers recruited for upscale production.
The department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has mapped 11 wards which they found to be suitable for growing the crop. The distribution will involve three more wards; Nanyuki, Mukogodo East and Segera.
The department is targeting a total of 300 acres for the large-scale farming of the cotton within the county by the end of May,2021.
It was evident that the crop could do well in those areas, Laikipia East experiences short rains which would benefit the crop, Mr. Hutu says.
The BT cotton seeds will be distributed to support the growth of the crop in Laikipia East and North which are favored by short rains season. In Laikipia West, the department will distribute the seeds to be planted during the long rain season.
With inputs support and good soil nutrition, cotton crop can perform well,says Mr. Hutu
The farmers will benefit from readily market as the AFA will be responsible for finding buyer of the crop. Plans are also in the pipeline to revival the Mountex industry which will ensure access to market for farmers.
According to the report by the department, the average height of the crop was 5.2 feet with good bolls formation. The report notes that in Bondeni village, Ol Moran ward, Plant growth is vigorous and the area has a good production per unit area. Hutu adds.
The diversification to the growing of the cotton will enable the county to create employment opportunities and benefit the farmers well. The good quality of the cotton will also ensure that they textile industry has enough raw material for the operationalization once the revival is complete.
