The government has taken steps to enhance cotton production by importing high-quality cotton seeds from West African nations, as disclosed by Industrialization Principal Secretary, Dr. Juma Mukhwana.
Dr. Mukhwana revealed that “Through the office of the president, seeds had to be procured from Togo, Chad, and Benin to boost the locally available variety that could not sufficiently meet the needs.”
During an event held at the Siaya Institute of Technology grounds in Siaya town, Dr. Mukhwana, alongside Cooperative Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi and Siaya Governor James Orengo, distributed cotton seeds worth Sh25 million to local farmers.
Highlighting the growth in cotton production in Siaya, Dr. Mukhwana noted, “Last year, we scaled up to 40,000 acres and this year we are looking at having 103,000 acres under cotton.”
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, he urged local farmers to embrace cotton production and assured them of favorable prices, stating, “Last year, cotton price was Sh 52 per kilogram.
By the end of 2023, we sat down and reviewed the cost of production and came up with a new price of Sh 65.”
Principal Secretary Kilemi challenged Siaya farmers to revive the county’s cotton industry, while Governor Orengo urged the national government to provide continuous support to local farmers, stating, “It is time we wake up and grow these crops ourselves and make sure that the factories are here in our counties.”
Governor Orengo also highlighted his government’s efforts to promote local production, citing the upcoming completion of a new rice mill in Siriwo in the Usonga location, which will enable local farmers to process their rice locally instead of selling it at low prices to neighboring countries.
The event was attended by Siaya Deputy County Commissioner Robert Ng’etich, County Secretary Joseph Ogutu, and the speaker of the Siaya County Assembly, George Okode, among others.
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