Today, CS Mithika Linturi graced the launch of the Kenya Seed Company Depot, at the National Cereals and Produce Board grounds in Bomet County, an initiative to combat the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND).
Both national and county governments have joined efforts to respond to challenges affecting agricultural productivity which includes; high losses in maize due to occurrence of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease, high post-harvest losses due to low access to drying facilities, and limited access to high quality certified maize seeds.
The opening of the Bomet Kenya Seed Company depot is a step towards mitigating these challenges for enhanced food and nutrition security of the people of Bomet and the neighbouring counties of Narok, Kisii and Kericho. The Kenya Seed Company will distribute seeds that are tolerant to the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease.
The CS also flagged off four 10-ton capacity mobile grain dryers for the Bomet, Mulot, Ndanai and Kilgoris NCPB Depots.
The CS noted that arrangements are underway to have another dryer stationed at Sotik NCPB Depot. So far 43 Mobile Grain Dryers have been delivered and distributed to various NCPB depots.
He was joined by the Bomet Governor, Dr Hillary Barchok, PS State Department for Agriculture Dr. Paul Rono, Bomet County Commissioner Dr Ahmed Omari, local MPs and MCAs, officials from national and county levels of government, farmers, and other stakeholders.
