By Francis Kioko.
Kitui Town witnessed a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity as the administration of Governor Julius Malombe launched a fleet of farm tractors at the Agricultural Mechanization Services (AMS) center. The event, presided over by Kitui County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Livestock, Mbaya Kimwele, underscored the critical role these tractors will play in facilitating timely farm preparations across the region.
The initiative, part of a broader subsidized tractor ploughing program, is strategically designed to benefit organized farmer groups. Emphasizing the importance of collective action, Kimwele urged farmers to form groups to fully capitalize on the program’s advantages.
Addressing the farmers, Kimwele advised them to plant early and opt for drought-tolerant seeds, a crucial strategy to mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable rainfall patterns. He reassured the farming community of the county government’s steadfast commitment to their welfare, highlighting that Governor Malombe’s administration is deeply invested in improving agricultural output as a pathway to uplift the livelihoods of Kitui residents.
Under the subsidized scheme, farmers will pay a nominal fee of Ksh 1,000 per acre directly to the County Government’s account, in addition to covering fuel costs. This initiative aims to make mechanized farming more accessible and affordable to the local farming community.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by key officials including the Chief Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries, Gladys Kivoto, AMS Manager, Dorcus Ileve, along with senior staff and plant operators from the ministry, all of whom expressed their support for the program’s goals of increasing agricultural productivity in Kitui County.
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