Over 2000 rice farmers from Alung’o and Asunda schemes are set to access adequate water supply from river Abwao intake after the completion of the lining of the supply canal, this financial year, in a bid to boost food security in the County.
Currently, the farmers hardly receive water for irrigation since those who donated land for the construction of the supply canals have since blocked the water ways stating that the current status of the canal causes flooding in their shambas causing loose soils to be washed away hence affecting their crops.
It is in the light of this that the CEC Member, for Agriculture, irrigation Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Gilchrist Okuom and the area MCA, Hon. Vitalis Otura toured the region to affirm the plan to have the project fully completed before the next planting season.
The area MCA however requested those who donated land where the canals were constructed, to take into consideration the plight of other farmers by allowing them to access the supply in the meantime as plans are underway to have the project completed soon. He also confirmed that the allocation for the completion of the weir was factored in the 2019/2020 budget
The Muhoroni sub county agricultural officer, Mr Athur Hongo who addressed the farmers said that after mapping of the schemes, about 480 farmers from Alung’o scheme will get farm inputs such as rice seeds that will cover 125 acres and also 100 of them will receive top dressing fertilizers. This will boost rice farming in the region.
While addressing the farmers, the CEC Member, Mr Okuom stated that rice is one of the flagship projects on matters food security and economic empowerment. He added that he was concerned about the challenges of water supply that has hindered expansion of rice fields, high cost of production due to pumping using electricity, recycling of seeds and lack of adequate farm inputs and promised his support on the same.
He urged the farmers to adopt new methods of farming that will increase the yields and advised them to diversify crops such as soya beans, cotton and yams since ombeyi has the biggest potential for yams production. He also discouraged them from planting at different times and urged to build strong cooperatives that will help them control market prices.
In regards to those who had their crops destroyed during construction, the Minister said they will discuss and agree on Tuesday on the best modalities of compensation.
Also in attendance were Eng. Nyamori from irrigation, and the ward agricultural Officer madam Esther Onyango among others
The CEC Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries addressing the plight of rice farmers in Ombeyi ward
The CEC Member, Mr Okuom flanked by the area MCA Hon. Otura to river Abwao intake that serves Alung’o scheme
Mr. Ben who donated land for the construction of supply canals raising his concerns for blocking the water supply
Eng. Nyamori from directorae of Irrigation giving explanations concerning one of the division boxes in Alung’o Scheme
TENDER NOTICE/ADDENDUM
The County Government of Kisumu has obtained a grant from the European Union, through the Ministry of Devolution and ASALs, under the EU-IDEAS programme, for the Kisumu County Dairy Enterprise Development Project and now invites interested and eligible bidders to tender for the following;
| # | Tender Number | Tender Description | Bid Security Amount (KES) |
| 1. | CGK/EU/MUH/T/19-20/001 | Construction to Completion of Administration & Ablution Block at Kisumu Dairy Development Centre (KDDC) | 250,000.00 |
| 2. | CGK/EU/MUH/T/19-20/002 | Construction to Completion of Milk Cooling Plant, Power Generator House and Zero Grazing Unit at Kisumu Dairy Development Center (KDDC) | 200,000.00 |
Tender may be downloaded from the county web-portal www.kisumu.go.ke and the national government procurement information web-portal www.tenders.go.ke free of charge.
Click the link below to access the Tender Documents.
KDDC EU IDEAS PROGRAMME TENDER DOCUMENTS
There shall be mandatory site visits on Tuesday 6th August 2019 and Friday 9th August 2019. Interested tenderers are requested to assemble at the office of the Chief Officer, Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, located at 11th Floor, Prosperity House on or before 9am both days.
Completed tender documents are to be enclosed in plain sealed envelopes marked with tender name and reference number and deposited in the Tender Box located at the Main Reception, County Government Headquarters, Prosperity House – 2nd Floor, or to be addressed to;
The County Secretary,
County Government of Kisumu,
P.O Box 2738-40100 Kisumu, Kenya, so as to be received on or before 15th August 2019 at 11am
Tenders will be opened immediately thereafter in the presence of the candidates or their representatives who choose to attend at Agriculture Boardroom, 11th Floor Wing C Prosperity Building
The 53rd ASK Kisumu regional show was officially opened on Wednesday the 24th July 2019, by the Director National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Nyanza Region, Mr. Paul Ouma.
The theme for this year’s show “Promoting Innovation and Technology in Agriculture and Trade “ focuses on new innovations in technology and best practices for the improvement of food security and increased incomes to the stakeholders.
The show has attracted about 80 exhibitors from different sectors, such as agriculture, education, trade, health, and finance among many other institutions.
County Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries led by the County Minister, Mr. Gilchrist Okuom and the Ag. Chief Officer, Mr. Aflred Ajulu, took part in the exhibitions and ranked top in the following areas: Best Agro – processing stand, Best County and County Department stand, and Best stand exhibiting Agricultural and/or earth moving equipment.
Food security being one of the County’s top priority, the department is keen in sensitizing the people on the significance of everyone taking part in urban and peri- urban agriculture, so as to avoid eating contaminated foods that cause terminal diseases which impacts negatively on the economic growth.” We need to eat food as medicine not medicine as food”, said the Farm Manager, Mr James Samo.
Some of the new innovations in technology that the department show cased included: the Vicinaqua technology where water can be recycled for both fish keeping and plant growing, commonly known as Aquaponics and also hydroponics which is crop farming using only water.
The use of canvas collapsible ponds that is economical in terms of space and easily portable that can enable farmers produce fish for sale,
Boosting food production through small gardens such as kitchen garden, key hole garden, jeans garden, moist bed garden suitable in dry areas like Nyakach, basketry garden, hanging garden and bridge garden.
Another category of innovation is the integrated farming technology where a structure is put up with plants at the top, poultry cage in the middle and an artificial pond at the bottom such that the droppings from poultry are directed to the pond and the water from the pond is used to boost plant growth.
There is also the healthy living technology dealing with the emerging crops with medicinal value such as Chia seeds, flax seeds, canola seeds, Artemisia, and stavia among others.
The five day annual event is considered important to both Kisumu County residents and the Western region since it provides a learning platform on how to boost food security through new innovations in technology, this will go a long way in spurring economic growth and ensuring that our Counties are food sufficient.
Kisumu County Department of Agriculture ranked top in four categories at the ASK show 2019, Mamboleo Show Ground
County-Director-of-Fisheries-Mr-Kenneth-Luga-left-explaining-about-Vicinaqua-technology-in-Fish-production-at-the-Kisumu-ASK-show.-
The Farm Manager, Mr James Samo taking the Chief Guest through the County ‘s Agriculture Department exhibition stand at the show
Jeans farming technology
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili represented the county in the ongoing Intergovernmental forum on Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and irrigation held at Sarova Whites Sand Hotel Mombasa.
The Forum which was jointly opened by Agriculture CS Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri and CoG Vice Chair H.E Mwangi Wa Iria, brought together stakeholders from agricultural sector, national government, Public and Private Sector Organizations and the county governments to deliberate on the food security situation in the country.
Food security is one of the core pillars in Governor Anyang’ Nyongo’s manifesto and his administration has made gains in supporting Agricultural functions in the county.
Agriculture is one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big four Agenda and the forum is a clear indication of the county governments commitment to sustain and enhance local agricultural production.
The forum culminated by launching the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) with the resolve to invest in youths to incorporate technology in agricultural production.
The ASTGS is a 10-year strategy (2019 -2029) which seeks to increase small scale farmers income, increase agricultural output and promote knowledge and skills through innovation and research.
The Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili and CS Mwangi Kiunjuri exchanging pleasantries during the 3rd intergovernmental forum on Agriculture in Mombasa
The director veterinary services Dr. Evans Odhiambo has announced plans to hold a 2-day bating exercise in Seme Sub county on the 8th to 10th of July 2019 which will be followed by a mass vaccination drive.
Recently, the County government has been on high alert following rabies outbreak that caused the death of two children reported in Seme Sub County. The County directorate of health and its sister directorate of Veterinary services held a meeting to review a rabies investigative report done by the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) anchored within the Ministry of Health and supported by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Following rabies epidemic in most parts of the County, the department reached out to FELTP to help understand the rabies prevalence in Seme sub county. According to Dr. Daniel Ong’are of FELTP Kenya, there is increased awareness of rabies prevention and control measures through education and information on responsible pet ownership, how to prevent dog bites and immediate care measures after a bite.
The report presented by Dr. Ong’are indicated one of the challenges experienced by the community as inaccessibility of anti-rabies due to the distance to the health facilities thus hindering access to full dosage of the vaccine.
Human rabies is virtually always fatal despite numerous attempts at aggressive therapy by the health facilities. Most survivors receive one or more doses of rabies vaccine prior to the onset of the dog bite, however many more survivors fail to get to the health facilities for a follow up vaccines.
The report recommended capacity building of health care workers on RIG and PEP administration, proper record keeping and tracking of patients to ensure adherence to immunization protocol, continuous sensitization of the community on availability of public goods and services at public health facilities, reduction of dog population coupled with sensitization on responsible dog ownership and sustainable regular vaccination of dogs to achieve herd immunity.
The County Pharmacist Dr. Lawrence Otieno confirmed the availability of anti-rabies stating that the County has maintained buffer stock for the vaccine. Dr. Odhiambo of County Vet services also pledged to donate 100 more of Antiviral for rabies to go to the health centres.
Kisumu is one of the selected counties for rabies pilot study in Kenya having been pronounced as an endemic area with Seme Sub County as the most affected endemic areas in the County, followed by Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Muhoroni and Nyakach Sub counties respectively.
By Matilda Atieno
Dr. Daniel Ong’are of FELTP Kenya presenting a report on the study of rabies endemic in Seme Sub-county to the CHMT in Kisumu ( Picture By David Wadulo)
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) formerly known as the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) held a stake holder’s workshop at the Acacia Premier Hotel, Kisumu.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from the western region sugar industries with the aim of deliberating on electricity co-generation of sugar industries in the country.
Speaking during the event, the Director General of EPRA, Mr. Pavel Omieke stated that Kenya has been ranked 7th globally in geothermal consumption, adding that Kenya approximately has 13 sugar manufacturing companies and that there is need embrace embracing innovative ideas in the sector.
The workshop gave some of the challenges faced in sugar industry and co-generation which include; reduction in sugar cane growing due to delays in farmer payment, shut down of some sugar industries and their co-generation and mismanagement.”One major challenge is the issue of raw material supply.” Said Mr. Solomon Odera, the Sugar Directorate of Agriculture and Food Authority.
An overview of the big four agenda was emphasized citing manufacturing as one of the four key pillars of the development agenda. The EPRA deputy director of energy research and policy analysis Dr. John Mutua pointed out the 2019/2020 budget which allocates 700 million shillings allocated for farmers adding that sugar industry holds the key to transforming manufacturing industry.
According to Dr. John Mutua, the co-generation potential in Kenya was estimated to be about 300MW most of which will be generated in the sugar belt areas in Western Kenya. This was aimed to increase the diversification of investment plus in job creation and economic growth.
The workshop also challenged county government’s role in supporting sugar cane farmers by linking them to the milling industries.
Expectations from the workshop was that there would be linkages between EPRA and the sugar industries in the region and a new website, erc.go.ke formed to link everyone including the millers.
By Beatrice Akinyi, Wendy Noel and Lurie Zweri
Sugar harvesting in Western Kenya region (File Photo)