The rice farmers association in Nyakach Sub County dubbed COFA (Cham Ogweyo Farmers Association) today received a 3M milling machine from the Venezuelan government through FAO in partnership with National and County Governments.
This will go a long way in boosting mechanized production, rice value addition and eventually improve the economic situation of not only the sub-county but also the region.
Speaking during the handing over of the machine to the Farmers, the CEC Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Gilchrist Okuom thanked the Venezuelan government for the good gesture of touching lives at the lowest level to make them productive.
He reiterated that his department is working on upgrading Wasare Scheme and construction of water intake at Gem Rae irrigation scheme by January next year. This will improve productivity in the area since the farmers have been relying on unreliable rainfall that is impacting negatively on their productivity.
Madam Jane Ndung’u a representative of the national government lauded the Venezuelan government for funding the project as a demonstration that we can mechanize, and add value to improve the economic situation of the region.
Stating that rice production falls under the big four agenda- food security and nutrition in the country, she called on farmers to double their efforts on rice production to fill in the gap.
FAO assistant representative, Mr Hamisi Williams urged the farmers to stay focused, create opportunities for others and work in harmony to entice more donor funded projects for economic development in the region
The FAO Kenya representative, Mr Tobias Kavarasha of Zimbabwe origin, who has just been posted to Kenya said it was an honor being that Kenya is the leading agricultural country in Africa. He reiterated the importance of partnerships in production, rice as a value chain that can be improved through mechanization and technology.
The Venezuelan Ambassador, Jesus Agustin Puppo Manzanilla on his part thanked the people for their warm welcome and said their government is committed to continue working closely with FAO, national and county governments in capacity building. He therefore called for good working relations among the partners.
Also in attendance were: the Sub county administrator Mr Vincent Orayo, the area Chief, the area MCA representative, Maurice Opiyo the chairman COFA, Henry Guya assistant chairman COFA, members of COFA among other guests
