Government’s new initiative to revive ailing cotton sector

BY DANIEL NZIA

Cotton farmers have a reason to smile, as the national and county governments come together to revive the once lucrative cash crop.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Cisily Kanini Kariuki said the National Government is building a strong partnership with the counties to address challenges facing cotton farming.

Ms Kariuki identified high cost of production, stiff competition and market inaccessibility as some of the key challenges that contributed to the collapse of the cotton sub-sector.

Devolved system

The Principal Secretary was speaking in Makueni County when she paid a courtesy call on Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana at his office before touring the county to mark this year’s Cotton Day.

Kariuki accompanied by senior Cotton Development Authority (Coda) officials toured Makueni Ginnery.

She said although agriculture has been devolved, the National Government is more than ready to work with the county government to return cotton to profitability path.

“I wish to reaffirm cotton is a leading commercial crop and that the Cotton Development Authority will closely work with farmers and other stakeholders to revive cotton farming and ensure sustainable market,” reckoned Kariuki.

She said one of the measures the two levels of government will focus on is bringing farmers together and encouraging them to grow cotton.

Another area of importance, she said is investing in technical and capacity building in addition to providing farmers with pest resistant seeds to maximise on yields.