- To ensure the success of this undertaking, the county government has invested in crucial infrastructure, including 7 tractors worth 70 million Kenyan shillings and 150-ton capacity storage facilities.
Homa Bay County is witnessing an agricultural renaissance, as 4,030 local farmers have received a massive boost—10 metric tons of valuable cotton seeds worth 27 million Kenyan shillings.
This move aims to revive the once-thriving cotton industry, which had fallen into obscurity in the late 1990s, succumbing to competition from synthetic fibres.
Cotton was previously a cash crop mainstay in the region during the early 70s, but its decline left a significant void. The county government, led by Governor Gladys Wanga, is now determined to transform Homa Bay into the nation's dominant cotton producer, unlocking new avenues for economic growth and rural prosperity.
"Cotton is a significant cash crop in our country, and my administration has renewed its focus on the cotton industry, recognizing its potential to contribute to economic growth and rural development," declared Governor Wanga during the launch of the first phase on May 27, 2024.
The ambitious plan encompasses registering an astounding 35,307 farmers and setting aside 43,000 acres of land for large-scale cotton cultivation. In this first phase, the 4,030 pioneering farmers have become the trailblazers, poised to drive the county's cotton renaissance.
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"The current land under cotton farming is about 7,000 acres," Governor Wanga revealed. "In this new phase, we are aiming at 19,600 acres with a production target of 800 kilograms to 1,500 kilograms per acre."
To ensure the success of this undertaking, the county government has invested in crucial infrastructure, including 7 tractors worth 70 million Kenyan shillings and 150-ton capacity storage facilities.
Additionally, the county is collaborating closely with 14 registered cotton growers' cooperative societies, boasting a combined membership of 8,000 farmers.
Deputy Governor Joseph Magwanga underscored this initiative's transformative impact, stating, "This initiative will not just ensure our farms are active, it will create job opportunities for our youth and women, it will be a source of financial support to our people and generations to come."
For farmers like Mary Atieno, a Mama Pamba cotton growers' cooperative member, the cotton revival represents a beacon of hope. "Through this cotton farming, I will be able to feed my children, and I will also be able to educate them because I will be economically empowered," she enthused.
Cotton is among the key value chains the county looks forward to being recognized for, including edible oils production.
