12,500 Farmers To Benefit With Assorted Maize Seeds
Following the expected rainy season in the course of the month, Laikipia farmers have even more reasons for having smiles on their faces after the county government's announcement to distribute maize seeds.
Coming from the National Government - Kilimo House, the County Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Laikipia has received 50 tonnes of different varieties of maize seeds awaiting distribution to farmers.
Confirming this, CECM Agriculture Wangari Wachira said the batch will go a long way in boosting Laikipia farmers in their maize production, consequently enhancing their economic status.
We have received 50,000kg of maize seeds and we are going to distribute the same four kilograms per farmer. Meaning, that across the county we are giving a total of 12,500 farmers.
said Ms. Wachira.
The CECM explained that four kilograms of maize seeds cover half an acre of land which provides an economic sense in the distribution of four kilos per farmer. The seeds to be distributed mature faster, thus the farmers must take advantage of these short rains. These maize seed varieties are H624, H520, DH 08, Wema-H532, and H513.
Priority to get these seeds will be according to the economic status of a farmer; distributing to the less fortunate to enhance them economically.
We have data that relates to the social-economic status of our farmers that we will use to make the distribution.
the CECM said.
It is a way of lowering the impact of drought due to the prolonged dry season that has not only affected Laikipia County, but the entire nation.
According to the 2021 Laikipia County Statistical Abstract, maize is the most farmed crop in Laikipia, closely followed by beans and wheat. In 2020, for instance, the area under maize crop in Hectares was 46,470. For beans, it was 22,035 and 7,984 hectares for wheat.
