Muranga farmers to benefit from subsidy programme

Governor Irungu Kang'ata. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Smallholder farmers from Murang'a have a reason to smile after the county government launched a multi-million a subsidy programme dubbed 'Inua Mkulima.'

At least 42,000 dairy and mango farmers listed in the subsidy programme will be able to redeem foodstuffs and farm inputs worth Sh2,400 at selected outlets in the county under the initiative.

Speaking at Kahuro market when he launched the issuance of Inua Mkulima cards, Governor Irungu Kang'ata said the outlets were listed after extensive vetting.

Kang'ata said only farmers in a cooperative society would benefit as per policy demands.

He assured that from October the holders of the cards will manage to pay school fees for their children as well as medical bills.

"This is a milestone to ensure the farmers will access the goods which is a departure from the past programme where money was credited into their bank account," he said.

Peter Kamau, a local dairy farmer hailed the Inua Mkulima card as transparent saying that only those registered under the county government will have access to the kitty.

Kamau, from Kahuro Breeders said the programme will help many families to access foodstuffs from the local shops.

"This is a programme that has connected the farmers with the shopkeepers as we shall have access to agrovet products required by our animals to sustain milk production," said Kamau.

In the past, the subsidy programme credited farmers' accounts with money where dairy farmers enjoyed Sh3.50 per litre sold through the cooperative, while mango farmers earned Sh7 per kilo.