Agriculture
Machakos County Government in collaboration with Emergency Locust Response Program (ELRP), have launched a Sh35 million project to support farmers and communities who were severely affected by locust invasion in 2019/2020 at Mbiuni Mwala of Machakos county.
The ELRP is set to support various initiatives and the package includes Galla goats, Improved indigenous chicks, chick mash, hermetic bags, banana tissue culture seedlings, certified seeds insecticide, fertiliser, beehives and ear tags among other products.
Area Governor Wavinya Ndeti said the intervention was targeting farmers from four wards including Mbiuni, Matungulu North, Kivaa and Masinga Central who were affected by the locust invasion and had undergone massive losses.
While speaking at the Chief’s camp in Mbiuni Mwala, she noted that the goal is to empower farmers to be able to have more farm produce which will improve food security, boost employment opportunities and reduce poverty in Machakos County.
“The is not only to restore livelihoods but also to empower our farmers in these regions to expand their income streams,” said Wavinya. She further added that 2552 farmers have also been digitized and are receiving weather alerts extension advisories through their mobile phones to be able to plan accordingly on their produce.
She however advised the youth to engage in constructive projects and activities that are beneficial to their lives and avoid being coerced into acts of violence and destruction of properties in Machakos. “I am willing and ready to meet the youths and I have all it takes to address their grievances,” noted Wavinya.
Farmers at Mbiuni Mwala Sub County as they receive bee hives which is a collaborative effort from ERLP and Machakos county to support farmers and communities who were severely affected by locust invasion. Photo by Anne Kangero.