By Bob Aston
Mr. James Kamau, the Divisional Agriculture
Officer, Sipili division informed the farmers that they are receiving the fruit
seedlings at no cost courtesy of the county government. He noted that fruit
production has been on the increase in Sipili and its environs and they are now
looking at ways of ensuring that farmers enjoy maximum return.
Negarim microcatchments are
diamond-shaped basins surrounded by small earth bunds with an infiltration pit
in the lowest corner of each. Runoff is collected from within the basin and
stored in the infiltration pit.
More than twenty (20) farmers from
Sipili Division, Laikipia West on July 3, 2014 benefited from orange and pawpaw
fruit seedlings that had been given out by Laikipia County government. The
county government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
distributed 200 orange seedlings and 200 pawpaw seedlings.
Mr.Kamau addressing some of the farmers who came for the seedlings |
He said that the county government
decided on Washington navel variety of orange as it is the most ideal type in
the region. He added that the county government is interested in ensuring that
the livelihood of farmers is improved through fruit farming.
“Fruit farming is a long term
investment but it is important to know that once you start harvesting it will
be worth the effort. Fruit farming can also withstand the dry weather condition
which is currently being experienced in Sipili,” said Mr. Kamau.
While demonstrating to the farmers
how to space the fruits while planting, he urged them to follow proper spacing using
Negarim microcatchments as it would be the most ideal way to space the fruits.
He said oranges require a spacing of six (6) by 6 metres.
Mr. Kamau demonstrating how to space the seedlings |
Ol-Moran/Sipili Ward administrator
Mr. Peter Keru urged the farmers to practice what they are taught by
agricultural officers. He informed them that the county government will be
doing a follow up to see how the fruits are growing thus they need to take care
of them to ensure their survival chance is 100%.
“This is just a catalyst to encourage
you to plant more fruits. The initiative will still continue to ensure more
farmers also benefit,” said Mr. Keru.
Farmers who had registered to receive
fruit seedlings were each given fifteen (15) seedlings while others were given
nine (9). The orange seedlings are expected to mature after three (3) years.
The initiative follows an earlier one by the county government when it gave out
800 mango seedlings.
No comments:
Post a Comment