The Secretary of National Administration in the Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration Ms Beverly Opwora leads the presidential delivery unit in a cotton farm visit in Malakisi. [Juliet Omelo, Standard]
"The fall of Malakisi Ginnery negatively affected the economy in the region. We must come in aptly and strategize on how best this industry can be brought back to life, "he said.
He said the collapse of the ginneries was due to poor management in the factories
Farmers however decried the lack of field extension officers to give guidance and consultations to them on how best to plant the BT seeds in order to maximize their produce.
"We appreciate what the government is doing for us like giving us seeds without paying a penny, however, we need more extension officers in the fields for easy consultation on how best to plant for better produce," said Lazaro Kamubia, a cotton farmer in Malakisi.
Kamubia pleaded with the government to increase the price of cotton per kilogram from the current Sh72 to at least Sh100 per kilogram to encourage even more farmers to join in practising cotton farming.
The ginning process separates cotton seeds from the cotton lint. [Juliet Omelo, Standard]
"Cotton has a lot of work and is expensive to manage. Despite being given free seeds, there is a lot of labour that goes into the planting and managing. We are asking the government to increase the pricing per kg so that we can also be able to make a little profit out of our produce," he said.
Other projects verified during the four-day exercise in the western region include the construction of the EPZA in Nasewa Busia County, the construction of a housing project in Funyula, the provision of agriculture insurance to farmers in Busia and Bungoma, the TVET expansion project at Musakasa in Bungoma and inspection of the Musikoma-Mungasi Road.
The Secretary, of National Administration in the Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration Ms Beverly Opwora further emphasised on the importance of a multisectoral approach to the implementation of major government projects.
"It is evident that different sectors of the government are working in isolation with regards to implementation of government projects which should be the case, it is essential to work in collaboration for a common course," she said.