Farmers in three irrigation schemes in Arror ward, Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County, are set to pocket Sh73 million from the sale of sorghum and maize seeds.
According to County Executive for Agriculture, Edwin Kibor, farmers at the 400-acre Chepkum Irrigation Scheme will earn Sh22 million from the Kenya Seed Company after selling maize seeds harvested during the first planting season.
Kibor added that the same farmers are also expected to earn Sh20 million after receiving two tonnes of the Seredo sorghum variety for the current planting season.
“The farmers prefer this variety as it doesn’t attract birds,” he said.
Speaking while handing over the seeds to the Chepkum Farmers’ Cooperative Society, Kibor noted that with proper management, farmers are projected to harvest 520 metric tonnes of sorghum, translating to Sh20 million.
Arror Ward Agricultural Officer, Justus Kemboi, said farmers in the Kamsiwet Irrigation Scheme are expected to earn Sh15 million, while those in the Kabanon-Kapkamak scheme will receive Sh16 million from sorghum sales.
Kibor further noted that the return of peace in Kerio Valley has encouraged farmers who had fled the conflict to resume agricultural activities.
“The Kerio Valley is quite productive, and with irrigation, the area can feed the country,” he said.
He pointed out that farmers currently do not require fertiliser, as the soils remain highly fertile. However, he cautioned that with multiple planting seasons per year, soil fertility could decline, making fertiliser use necessary in the future.
The county executive praised farmers for embracing contract farming, saying it guarantees them a ready market for their produce.
