Ngilu launches tractors
for early farm preparation
By Munyasya Musya
THE Ndengu Revolution roared on yesterday with Governor Kaluki Ngilu launching new tractors to plough farms for vulnerable residents. This brings to 17 the fleet of tractors in the county deployed to help poor farmers prepare their farms ahead of the October – December rains.
Speaking at Mrs. Makaa Kimanzi’s farm in Malondo village in Mutonguni Ward of Kitui West sub county, Governor Ngilu asked farmers in villages across the county to form committees that will help in identifying poor farmers who would be given priority in the programme.
“While wealthier farmers can access tractor services from private owners, there is need to help the poor actualize food security in the county”, she said.
In the programme farmers would pay Sh1,000 per acre for ploughing as opposed to Sh2, 000 charged by private tractor owners per acre.
Ngilu said her government has purchased an additional 10 new tractors to strengthen the existing 7 adding that each sub-county would be allocated 2 tractors for the ploughing exercise ahead of the October-December rains.
She said funds have been set aside to purchase 40 more tractors to ensure farmers in all wards have access to modern farm ploughing services and break away from dependence on oxen power.
Water and food security form Governor Charity Ngilu’s first priority in her five-pronged development manifesto followed by healthcare, education and youth development, women empowerment and wealth creation respectively.
Mrs Kimanzi, a widow, hailed the programme for prioritizing the poor to produce enough food for own use and for income generation noting that such a move would end persistent hunger in many families in the area.
Kitui residents are already feeling the impact of the Ndengu Revolution after two farming seasons resulted in a glut in the production of green grams, providing locals with a commodity they can use as a means of exchange to get money and food for their needs
