Uasin Gishu distributes Sh42 Million cash crop seedlings.

Uasin Gishu county Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, On Wednesday at Eldoret ASK Showground, launched distribution of Kshs 42 million assorted seedlings of promotional crops to farmers countywide.

“We are distributing coffee, Avocado, Macadamia and tissue culture seedlings to interested farmers and we encourage them to diversify. The county administration has reached out to a number of horticultural companies who will purchase the crop harvest from our farmers”, Chemno said.

The 150,000 coffee seedlings of Batian and Ruiru 11 varieties , 40,000 Hass Avocado seedlings, 20,000 tissue culture bananas ( Uganda green, PHIA 17,Green Nine & Ng’ombe varieties), and 8,000 Macadamia seedlings will be distributed free through Ward Agricultural Officers. Speaking during the event Agriculture County Executive Samuel Yego said that his department has trained over hundred extension officers who will help farmers in production of these crops.

“ I wish to encourage the youth to take up coffee and Avocado farming, a half an acre of these crops will give you a minimum of a million shillings annually which is around the same amount of money one makes from 15 acres of maize or wheat in the same period”, Chief Officer Julius Rotich, also present, said.

These seedlings will raise the total acreage of land under coffee by 150 acres, avocado by 500 acres while Macadamia and Bananas will increase by forty five and 115 acres respectively. In the coming months another coffee seedlings 110,000 being developed at ATC Chebororwa will also be given to farmers.

Interested farmers are required to contact their respective Ward Agricultural Officers.