Rice Farmers Allowed Access to Tractors After Bill Payment

More than 1,000 rice farmers in West Kano and Ahero irrigation schemes are able to use 23 tractors after the Kisumu government paid Sh60 million. They had been burdened by the bill and were required to clear it before they could use the tractors again. The tractors were acquired by the county in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Governor Jack Ranguma addressed a gathering in Kabonyo in Nyando constituency on Thursday when he commissioned a water project. Ranguma accused his rivals of politicising the tractor issue when they know the county receives insufficient money from the national coffers. “Rivals accused me of doing nothing to help farmers to pay off the debt, as the tractors have been lying idle in one of the stores in Ahero,” he said.

Ranguma said the move is a boost to rice farmers.He said rice is one of the main cash crops in Kisumu and the tractors will improve production to meet the rising demand.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/09/10/rice-farmers-get-23-tractors-as-county-pays-off-sh60m-debt_c1417723

Yayan Indriatmoko/CIFOR

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