Posted on December, 11, 2023 at 10:11 am
Kirinyaga County has partnered with the Japanese government to assist small-scale farmers with modern farming to increase their income.
Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya Ken Okaniwa said the programme that will cost Sh13 billion will be implemented through Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) for a period of two years.
Amb Okaniwa said the money will be used to train extension workers to empower farmers on quality production and market accessibility and support various experimental projects in the county, especially in areas with production capacity to double income for the farmers.
The Japanese ambassador made the revelations when he paid a courtesy call today on the County Deputy Governor David Githanda at Mwea in Kirinyaga County.
“We are here also to inspect the Mwea Rice irrigation scheme and access the effectiveness of Thiba Dam to feed water to canals in the furthest units of the area,” said the ambassador.
He urged the county government to include its programmes in the county integrated development plan (CIDP) for effective promotion and implementation of the projects.
Ambassador Ken lauded the County Government Administration for its cordial working relationship with the Japanese Government and called for better relations.
He added that the Japanese government will explore horticultural export markets to improve farmers’ livelihoods.
“This project was set to be a demonstration in the country, and it is my joy that it has achieved its result. It is my expectation that the Kirinyaga County government will expand the areas using its own funding,” he said.
The Deputy Governor assured the team of full support from County Government and appreciated Japanese government for the support and commitment they have put in to support Kirinyaga farmers, and thanked the JICA for the continued support of the live-changing empowerment programmes in the county.
“All these programmes mean more money to our farmers, and as the country’s government, we support farmers with the necessary resources,” he said.
He added that Thiba Dam has increased rice farming to ten thousand acres in an area that did not have access to water.
The area Senator Kamau Murango, who is the leader of the agricultural committee in the Senate said the money will help more rice farmers expand and make use of the land not in use when water canals are permanently completed.
“The project will not only help Mwea farmers but will also help the country to be able to provide more food to Kenyans. This is one of the key agenda items of the Kenya Kwanza government. We will create employment for more people,” he said
He called on the contractors who are on the site doing the canals to speed up the projects and take as little time as possible.
Source: KNA