Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has called upon farmers to diversify their agricultural activities by embracing intensive fruit and vegetable production. Odinga emphasized that this shift could significantly enhance income generation, household food security, and nutritional well-being.
Highlighting the direct accessibility and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables, Odinga stressed their pivotal role in ensuring daily sustenance for families. Her remarks came during the distribution of solar water pumps and tanks to women groups in Kisumu East Constituency, facilitated by the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) acting coordinator for Kisumu, Timothy Nyandusi.
The donation, overseen by Nyandusi alongside Odinga’s office Manager Sam Olweru and NGAAF chairperson Madam Jackquline India, forms part of a broader initiative aimed at empowering local communities economically, with a recent allocation of Sh30 million for countywide projects.
Odinga underlined the importance of integrating fruit and vegetable farming into existing cropping systems as a means to bolster the rural economy. Despite the high market demand for crops like passion fruit and various vegetables, Odinga noted their often overlooked potential for generating substantial income compared to traditional staples like maize.
Citing studies indicating higher net farm incomes for farmers engaged in fruit and vegetable production, Odinga stressed the need for special attention to programs promoting their cultivation, which she has incorporated into her strategic development plan for the 2023-2027 period.
Nyandusi and India echoed Odinga’s sentiments, highlighting the community’s requests for solar water pumps to harvest rainwater and supply clean water. Nyandusi encouraged residents to submit proposals to Odinga’s office for potential financing, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting community empowerment initiatives.
Olweru revealed that 37 women groups would benefit from the distribution of solar water pumps, each costing Sh100,000. India urged residents to establish orchards and cultivate indigenous fruits, emphasizing the lucrative potential of such ventures.
Furthermore, NGAAF officials pledged to provide support to serious community groups, with Odinga’s office concurrently conducting civic education on financial literacy and offering financial assistance ranging from Sh50,000 to Sh100,000 to trained individuals to foster entrepreneurship and business growth.
Kisumu City News
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