The County Government of Uasin Gishu is set to distribute 383,333 coffee seedlings to farmers across the county to promote diversification. The program is aimed at fostering high-value crops.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot says the county government has elaborate plans to involve the youth in the coffee value chain by supporting them in starting certified seedling nurseries. This will assist the county to achieve the target of having 3000 acres under coffee in the next five years with the county already targeting to produce 31,500 metric tonnes of coffee in the next three years.
The Uasin Gishu County Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii will launch the program across all six sub-counties.
“As a way of empowering the youth economically and enhancing sustainability, we will be supporting them and other local players to produce seedlings required through cooperative societies. This financial year, we have an elaborate program to promote cash crop farming, and our lead crop for this year is going to be coffee,” says Eng. Barorot.
The County Executive for Agriculture Edward Sawe says the county aims to increase the acreage under coffee cultivation by building on the existing 1,452 acres already established.
The county is working towards this by offering comprehensive support to farmers, including training them in the best agronomy practices from growing to harvesting. There will also be an integration of modern technology through the Agricultural Management Information System (AIMS), which promises to empower farmers with crucial data and innovative techniques aimed at creating awareness among farmers across all wards.
The county will also distribute 17,500 avocado seedlings to farmers across the County and 50,000 clones in high-altitude wards like Tarakwa for multiplication. The program will also include other activities to enhance livestock production.
