The government has announced plans to purchase paddy from the over 30,000 rice farmers in the Ahero irrigation scheme, Kisumu County in an effort to ensure ready and stable markets for their crops.
National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the state has set aside Sh150 million in the supplementary budget I for the 2024/25 financial year to actualise the purchase. "When President William Ruto visited the Nyanza region last year, he promised rice growers in Kadem and Ahero that his government would avail funds to purchase rice directly from the farmers," Mbadi said He added that there was a delay in disbursing the funds meant for the programme, however, the Treasury was set to release the finances by February.
Mbadi made the remarks on Friday at Chiga area in Kisumu County during his visit to different Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) projects.
The initiative, which will be undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, will be implemented by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA).
