The government has deployed over 300 National Youth Service (NYS) officers to Kenya Seed Company and Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) farms in Trans Nzoia County.
The officers will help the two state parastatals in harvesting of 6,000 acres of maize seed.
Presiding over the deployment in Endebess, Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, said the National Crop Harvesting Programme is meant to reduce post harvest losses from the current 30 per cent to less than 5 per cent.
Kuria said reducing post harvest losses is one strategy of ensuring the country is food and nutrition secure as well as reducing the cost of food items importation.
The government of Kenya imports food items worth Ksh600 billion every year.
“Through the Agricultural transformation agenda of Kenya Kwanza government, we want to ensure that every Kenyan is food secure,” Kuria said.
Address unemployment
He added that engaging the 300 youths in the National Crops Harvesting Programme will help address youth unemployment in Kenya.
The CS also stated that 50 of 100 mobile maize dryers bought by the government at Ksh2 billion will land in the country in three weeks time.
He further revealed that the youths will also be engaged in distribution of semen from the Agricultural Development Corporation ADC Genetics Center.
“Although the government has subsidised AI services, we have realized there are some dealers are selling semen at 6,000 shillings and that is why we shall use our NYS officers to distribute the semen across the country,” he stated.
The youths will further be engaged in food production in Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme in partnership with foreign investors.
Maize brokers
On her part, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Susan Nakhumicha urged Kenyan farmers to store their produce properly and to avoid exploitative maize brokers.
“We know majority of our farmers have already harvested their maize. We urge not to sell your produce at throw away prices,” Nakhumicha said.
Speaking at the same event, Crops Development Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono said the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores are ready to receive maize from farmers.
“Our NCPB stores across the country are now open open for maize storage and drying. We dry every bag of maize at Ksh 70 per 10 shillings per bag per month,” Rono said.
Moreover, the PS reported that over 6.3 million farmers have been captured in the government data base. The farmers will access subsidised fertilizer and other farm inputs.
Subsidy on seeds
In addition, Endebess Constituency Member of Parliament Dr. Robert Pukose asked the government to consider subsidising the cost of maize seed to lower the overall cost of production.
On his part, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi also urged the two levels of government to employ Agricultural extension officers to help farmers reap more benefits from the ventures.
Kenya Seed Company Acting Managing Director Sammy Chepsiror revealed that the company has enough seed to meet local and international the markets demands.
Chepsiror also stated the company called on farmers to buy certified seeds from certified dealers and stockists across the country.
“Fake seeds remains a serious threat to seed and food security and out farners should be very aware of rogue people who engage in seed counterfeiting,” Chepsiror cautioned.
