Day: October 27, 2022

Papaya farmers in Murang’a have been urged to practice smart agricultural practices for profitable farming so as to ensure food safety and security in the country.
Agronomist Francis Kamau Mwamba observes that the first step to profitable papaya farming is in knowing and understanding the nutrients available to the roots.
“Testing the soil is a must-do for any farmer who intends to reap returns in Agri -investment because the soil PH majorly determines the nutrients that will be available to the plants” he states.
“A good soil PH coupled with other right agronomic practices will enable a pawpaw farmer to harvest 70 – 150 fruits per tree annually,” he says.
Moreover, notes Kamau, testing your soil helps you know the type and amount of food or nutrients available for your paw paws and hence you can successfully decide on the fertilizer to use on the soil.
“Testing the soil and its analysis aids in building soil health thus improving crop resistance to pests and diseases” he observed.
Pawpaw also known as pawpaw carica papaya does well in light well-drained soils with a soil PH of 6.0 to 6.5 and varieties range from those that can withstand drought to those that require round-the-clock irrigation.
The agronomist further underscored the need for farmers to choose quality seeds for optimum yields.
“Choose high quality fast maturing pawpaw variety, one that has a high tolerance to papaya ringspot virus and is highly productive like the Malkia F1 variety or the Calina 1PBP variety.”
“Its fruits, he says, are firm, weigh 1.5 to 2kgs in weight, and have a long shelf life thus is deal for export and long-distance transportation.”
Consequently, farmers can also use agricultural lime as a natural, low-cost way to improve the soil to enhance the effects of regular chemical-based fertilizers.
“Lime increases the PH. of acidic soil thus reducing soil acidity and increasing its alkalinity as well as providing the plants with calcium which is important for better yields and high profits” notes the agronomist.
Kamau further advises farmers not to go for shortcuts as this will be detrimental to getting the profits they desire from papaya.
“After soil testing ensure that the planting holes are dug 2.5 by 2.5m apart and at least 2ft and mix the topsoil with not less than two buckets of well-composed manure,” he stressed.
The manure will retain water due to its high water holding capacity (WHC) and will help the papaya to withstand areas that have long dry spells between rainfalls.
Manure, when mixed properly with soil, will release nutrients over time and then leach away into groundwater like other organic matter can do thus increasing the yields.
The hybrid Papaya variety matures eight months after planting and stays active for up to four years.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents in Yatta Sub County are delighted as the County Government embarks on reconstructing Mekilingi dam.
Speaking at Mekilingi dam during the launch of its reconstruction, Machakos County Deputy Governor Mr. Francis Mwangangi said the dam, like it did in the past, will help reduce food insecurity.
“Drying up of this dam has largely affected food security in this area. Mekilingi dam historically supplied water in Mekilingi, Kyua and other neighboring sub locations in Katangi ward,” said Mwangangi.
He said that the county government’s water programme has already completed 16 dams and this would bring the total to 17, with more planned to ensure adequate water in every village.
He also stated that they will add more excavators and lorries from both the county government and the National Youth Service (NYS) to expedite mud excavation before the rain begins, as the dam is entirely clogged.
The Deputy Governor said that the project is part of the Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) to be accomplished within their first 100 days in office.
“Right now, we are at 30 per cent in terms of water supply, our main aim is to double that figure to around 60 or 70 per cent. We will also in future fence the dam to prevent garbage from filling the dam and also ensure that the water coming in this dam is clean and safe,” said Mwangangi.
The Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Katangi ward Felix Ngui, who was also present, commended the county administration for the initiative and stated that it will significantly boost the local economy.
“With this dam, we don’t need a borehole, since it can supply water to a number of people in Mekilingi, Kyua and their neighboring wards which can be used in agriculture and other domestic uses,” said Ngui.
Ngui stated that the dam was built in 1983 and supplied water to 26 water kiosks, which are now closed due to the dam’s collapse.
He further urged the Governor through the county assembly of Machakos to allocate more funds to water projects since the county has low rains which are unable to sustain agriculture.
Machakos Water Chief Officer Eng. Stephen Ndwiki who is in charge of the project said that they are planning to excavate the silt from the dam to a volume of 50,000m³.
“The launch of this project will benefit over 3000 people in Katangi ward, the dam will provide water for domestic and irrigation purposes,” said Ndwiki.
Ndwiki also stated that the project will be done in two phases whereby phase one will involve clearing the muck while phase two which will involve fencing the dam, making water treatment plan, installing tanks, pumps and piping.
Ndwiki urged the residents to cooperate, revealing that the project will cost about Sh3million and take about a month to complete phase one of the dam.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Trans Nzoia West Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Frederick Ochieng has assured county residents of their security during and after the Kitale Agricultural Society of Kenya national show that kicked off on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Kitale showgrounds after inspecting the progress of preparedness, Ochieng said the government has beefed up security inside and outside the showground to ensure peace and order are maintained.
He warned those with negative motives intending to break the law during the four days’ national event that the law will take its course and that they will be dealt with accordingly.
The Kitale ASK chairperson Fredrick Kemboi Tarus affirmed that everything was in place disclosing that there were more than 110 exhibitors who had already booked their space to exhibit their wares and services.
The exhibitors include Kenya Seed Company, the Ministry of Agriculture, the County Government of Trans Nzoia, National Cereals and Produce Board, KEPHIS, Agricultural Developed Cooperation, (ADC) and CMC which will be showing casing a number of farm machinery.
Others include Apollo Agricue who are new entrants, SeedCo Company as well as learning institutions such as Moi University and the Kitale National Polytechnic among other exhibitors.
Tarus called on farmers across the region to visit the show and learn more about emerging new technologies in agriculture noting that this year’s theme is “Promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade.”
Tarus added that the show was presided over by Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Mbogai Rioba on Wednesday, Trans Nzoia Deputy Governor Philomena Kapkory on Friday and a guest from the national government on Saturday.
The event will be officially closed by the Kiminini Member of Parliament Maurice Kakai Bisau on Saturday.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Busia branch is on spot over its inability to spur Business and attract investors in the county, despite the county government providing an enabling environment.
Speaking during the launch of the NCBA bank branch in Busia town, Busia governor Dr. Paul Otuoma urged the leadership of KNCCI that it was time for action and implementation of numerous business plans they have had over time to foster the growth and development of the town.
“Busia County is strategically situated serving as the gateway to Eastern and Central Africa, with a population of over 900,000, which proves to be an enabling environment for investors. Being an agricultural and cross trader hub, the county has great potential to become an East African economic hub,” said Otwoma.
On the other hand, NCBA group director of finance Mr. David Abwoga lauded the reception in Busia town with area residents having opened over 400 accounts within three months and investing over Sh100 million in terms of loans and assets.
The NCBA Busia branch is the 7th branch to be launched this year and 85th in the country. The bank also operates in Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda with Kenya being its biggest market.
“NCBA Bank has today opened a new branch in Busia County as part of the bank’s strategic plan to expand its retail business aimed at taking services closer to customers. This brings to seven the total number of branches opened this year and 85 countrywide,” noted Abwoga.
He said the bank was targeting SMEs within the county by offering them solutions aimed at fixing the needs of the customers and businessmen, adding that the move to open a branch was necessitated by the fact that there are great opportunities for trade and investment presented by the county.
“The branch network enhances our ability to meet corporate and retail client needs by offering greater convenience of access and building trust, as client’s still rate access to a nearby branch as critical in selecting their bank of choice,” said Abwoga.
“We continue focusing on improving productivity and client experience through digitization of branch services to drive cost efficiencies and simplify processes. The strategy going forward is to convert branches into service centres for SMEs and corporate customers,” he added.
NCBA bank is the leading bank in asset financing and digital business, with a market share of more than 35 per cent in asset finance. The bank pioneered Mshwari and Fuliza.
Otuoma lauded the move by NCBA to invest in the county noted that it will improve the economic prospects of the people by offering employment and financial solutions to businessmen and farmers in the county.
“During my campaigns, I committed to supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the mama mboga, boda boda, industry among others. Our partnership with financial institutions will help us achieve this vision through friendly business loans,” said the Governor.
He also added that the new branch will help to make NCBA Bank a strategic partner in the economic growth and development of Busia County and help elevate the overall economic development in this region.
“Through this branch we will create employment opportunities for our constituents. This is of key importance to us as the creation of adequate, productive and sustainable employment continues to be the greatest economic challenge for Busia. The county has an unemployment rate of over 66.7 per cent. Our plan is to significantly reduce this number and we welcome partners who like to help us achieve this key milestone,” Otuoma said.
NCBA Group is a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME and consumer banking customers.
NCBA Group operates a network of more than 100 branches in five countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. Serving over 50 million customers, the NCBA Group is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers. NCBA Bank Kenya PLC is Kenya’s third largest bank by assets.
The Bank is set to play a key role in supporting Africa’s economic ambitions. The Bank is a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance and Digital Banking.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The pupils of Gituto primary school in Kiharu, Murang’a heaved a sigh of relief after a water tank construction was commissioned in the school to save them from trekking for many kilometres in search of the basic commodity.
The 300,000 litres mega tank will be constructed at a cost of Sh1.2 million by philanthropist Karanja Mburu Wamatangi through the Can Do Kids International Non-Governmental Organization.
Speaking at the school during the commissioning, Wamatangi observed that the lack of water in many schools in Kiharu contributed to poor performance since pupils were forced to spend valuable time fetching water for drinking and cleaning their classrooms at the expense of studying.
“The pupils have had a lot of problems carrying water every morning from homes and this tank is meant to solve that problem by ensuring they have clean drinking water so that they can concentrate on their studies,” he said.
An elated head teacher Agnes Ng’ang’a noted that the gesture will go a long way in solving a problem that has been persistent in the school for many years.
“We are happy and are optimistic that the performance of our school will improve since the water problem has been solved,” she said.
Ng’ang’a added that it has been cumbersome for the pupils to carry water from home every morning, and they arrive at school too tired to concentrate on their studies.
Wamatangi pledged to ensure that all primary schools in Kiharu get clean, safe water.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Tana River County Government will prioritize health, water, entrepreneurship, and value-addition sectors as it formulates its third-generation County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
The County Department of Finance and Economic Planning is holding sector working group discussions to collect views that will be integrated into the CIDP.
“We are continuing with the plan to create a participatory development plan, this is a five-year development plan that includes plans for our towns and sectors. It will provide us with a direction for the development,’’ said Mathew Babwoya, CEC Finance, and Economic Planning.
Surveys to collect views on the level of poverty, the number of people accessing health services and education standards, and other relevant statistics relating to development were the precursor to the formulation of CIDP III.
“This week we are focusing on the sector working group to discuss with stakeholders the issues relating to the sectors.
The first step is to evaluate past projects that were carried out, how we will improve or abandon them and recommend new ones for the next five years, we will highlight the issues of the sector in a way that will benefit the citizen,” CEC Finance said.
The County Government intends to devise a mechanism for using Tana’s resources to support residents to develop economically through the creation of a business-friendly environment for the development of value chains.
Youths will be equipped with various marketable skills at the Youth and Empowerment Centre located in Galole Constituency.

Source: Kenya News Agency