A NEW DAWN BECONS FOR FARMERS IN MARIGAT

Farmers in loboi location, Marigat District had all the reasons to smile as stake holders in the District came together to exchange ideas on how they can work together to improve the agricultural sector and livelihoods of the community at large.

Farmers field was organized by Kerio Valley Development Authority (KUDA) together with other stakeholders in the District who included Ministry of Agriculture, Baraka Agricultural College, Kenya Forestry Research Institute(KEFRI), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute(KARI), Ministry of Livestock , National Irrigation Board , Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) among others.

The objective of this day was for the stakeholders to show case activities involved in various organizations and institutions and how farmers can tap these services to improve farming in the area.

This was also a platform for farmers and stakeholders to collaborate with communities on how to utilize 20,000 hectares Irrigation potential. Currently the irrigated land is the initiative of farmers.

Speaking during this occasion, the provincial Director of Agriculture Mr. Phillip Ochieng Said that the field day was a lucrative idea to mobilize stakeholders and farmers to provide irrigation water to produce enough food for themselves and premium crops for local and export market.

He singled out KVDA, and CDF through local MP to work together with the ministry of Agriculture and ministry of Water and Irrigation to develop schemes in the area.

Through the provincial Director of Agricultures’ initiative, FAO in collaboration with National Irrigation Board and Ministry of Agriculture are finding 6 Million dam constructions to harness water to be used to expand Perkerra irrigation scheme. This aims to increase the area from 1200 Acres to 6000 Acres.

He emphasized that farmers embrace technologies in their environment, citing ALINs Marigat Maarifa centre as a place where they can tap, information and exchange knowledge with various farmers from different parts of the country.
Farmers were also advised to plant food security crops like cassava to avert over dependence on relief food.

Various institutions and organizations displayed their products and services which they explained to farmers and the community at large. On Marigat Maarifa centre stand was different publications like Baobab and KEA. This was an opportunity to explain extensively how they can join the network and why information sharing was vital and that Maarifa centre is there because of them.
Marigat Maarifa brochures were also distributed for publicity this has enhanced the activities in our centre because at least three farmers per day visit the centre to source for information and 50 farmers have joined the network.