13 BILLION SHILLINGS TO BE USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER DAM IN GICHUGU.

13 BILLION SHILLINGS TO BE USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER DAM IN GICHUGU.
JANE MUGAMBI 21ST MARCH 2012.

Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Toshihisa Takata has said that there is need for the Kenyan government to concentrate on the growth of rice.

Speaking while touring the dam site at Gichugu where his government through JICA, the ambassador said that rice production of late has gone down due to the poor management.

He said that if the government can continue supporting Mwea Irrigation Agricultural Development (MIAD) in the research, then Kenya will never import rice.

“Mwea rice is known to be a rice growing area, lack of incentives on how to improve the seeds has seen the production going down year by year which is very worrying encouraging imports a move that is not supposed to be witnessed” added the Ambassador.

He said that the Japan government has set up 13 billion shillings to support the production of rice adding that they are also going to support MIAD so that they can get the best seed which will improve the production of rice in Mwea.

Takata added that his government is involved in agricultural research which he said they are also going to fund universities that are engaged in agriculture so that Kenya can be food sufficient.

HE said that ½ of rice production in Kenya is being imported saying that the government is supposed to support rice research centre for production and to get a variety that his high yielding to curb the diseases and pests that are destroying the rice while being in the fields.

He said that to increase rice production in Kenya the Japanese government has seen it as an important issue to expand the irrigation system through a project called RICE MAP focusing on marketing, planting to increase food production and food security and diversify as a country.

“Through Rice Map, we want Kenya to be food secure and also to diversify in very many areas regarding agriculture focusing on marketing and planting strong seeds” added the Ambassador.

Raphael Wanjogu a researcher at MIAD said that the major issue has been pests and diseases citing that rice blast has affected the production of rice in Mwea decreasing the production.

Wanjogu said that MIAD is determined to get the best seed and also find a lasting cure to the blast so that production can increase calling upon the government to give them funds for research which he says has been hindered by lack of funds since the institution does not get funding from the government but only from interested parties who wants to research.

He said that for them to support the institution, they have embarked on growing of grapes, bananas and other food plantations.

ENDS…

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