by Maximilla Wafula
Cabinet Secretary Mithuka Linturi said Wednesday during the launch of the Training of Trainers (TOTs) of Assistant County Commissioner’s on registration of farmers for the fertilizer subsidy programme, that the data will help the government to make targeted interventions as it races to enhance food productivity. Nairobi, Kenya, Jan 4 – Agriculture to collect on farmers across the country will play a critical role in ensuring there is food security in the future.
The registration exercise targets farmers involved in various crop production and aims to establish a credible national database of all farmers, including farmers’ identity, profiles, crop acreage, and fertilizer requirements.
“I am sure that if we continue with this initiative, we will be able to collect crucial data that will benefit our country, and with the aid of the National Government, we will make ensure that productivity increases in the next year and 18 months looking into the current strategies put in place,” Linturi said.
The Agriculture CS said that a time had come for the country to become self-sufficient and move away from overdependence on aid during drought.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture will collaborate with other departments including county governments to ensure the success of the countrywide exercise.
On his part Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo reiterated that the exercise will be voluntary and urged National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to uphold inclusivity, integrity and fairness throughout the registration process.
He noted that the registration of farmers will be free of charge warning any administrator who plans to take advantage of the exercise to charge farmers.
“We will be decisive against dereliction of duty and indiscipline by any of our officers,” Omollo warned.
The Interior PS said that the training will equip the administrators who with the requisite, knowledge and skills necessary for the program.
“You will be required to diligently transfer and cascade this knowledge to the other officers and stakeholders across the country. In particular upon conclusion of this training, you will be required to train the Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs in your respective countries in preparation for the registration,” he said
He directed the administrators to play a leading role in mitigating and manage any misinformation that he argues may accrue from this program by providing factual information.
Besides the daily online registration that will be transmitted to the current platform, PS Omollo said NGAOS at all levels will be required to submit daily County reports to his office, on the status of registration as part of tracking, monitoring and reporting the progress of the registration exercise.
Ends…….