By Kabaraji Saka Richard
Kiminini Member of Parliament Kakai Bisau has challenged the National Government to work closely with devolved units in reviving the once blossoming Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) shows across the country.
Speaking during the closure of the North Rift Agricultural Show in Kitale, Bisau expressed concerns that the event had lost meaning.
This, he attributed to lack of cooperation between the two levels of government in addition to lack of commitment by the County Government in the agricultural sector.
“When we were youths, we looked forward to Kitale ASK Shows but nowadays they have lost their former glory as they lack exhibitors, especially in the agricultural sector. We need to be serious on agricultural matters to revive the ASK Shows across the country,” the MP said.
Bisau went ahead and complained over the low turnout of people who attend the annual agricultural fete saying that only school children attended it.
“This is a very important occasion that should be taken seriously by both governments as we do not have even a county government stand or the presidency stand with 90% of the attendees being school going children,” he noted.
Breadbasket
In addition, the legislator called on leaders to support the exhibitors, especially those in the agricultural sector to bring back the glory.
“We want to support the exhibitors and as leaders we need to lead from the front to see to it that Trans Nzoia being an agricultural county really lives to its name of being the bread basket of Kenya.”
The MP also took issue with the maize price saying it was discouraging to the local farmers as they have used a lot of resources to produce a bag of maize which retails between Ksh4,000 and Ksh4,200.
“As the government is supporting coffee and tea farmers, let them also look into the affairs of maize farmers in terms of prices so as to motivate them to work hard and enable this country to have enough food for the local population,” Bisau said.
On subsidy, the first time legislator has endorsed it but cautioned the government on over-subsidizing the farming sector.
He warned that the move might make farmers lazy.
“Yes, we want subsidies but should not be continuous as it makes agriculture not a profitable venture. Let the government give us good prices and we will manage our agriculture.”
The Government last season availed farmers with subsidized fertilizer that was retailing at Ksh3,500 per 90 kilogram bag.
President William Ruto has since announced a further drop in the price to Ksh2,500.
