Farmers opt other crops for farming due to high prices on pesticides

 Farmers opt other crops for farming due to high prices on pesticides

Farmers in Kirinyaga county have started venturing into fruit tree farming  due to the high cost of pesticides and other farm inputs.

John Maina used to farm tomatoes and French beans but abandoned the venture to focus on crops that require no or minimal use of pesticides.

Maina said for the 20 years he was a commercial farmer,prices on pesticides were a challenge for him and other farmers due to high prices.

"After farming for over 20 years I have shifted to pawpaw and passion fruit farming,"he said.

Jecinta Mukami  has shifted to sweet potato farming after realizing the gap in the market and also the crop does not need any chemicals.

Mukami says most farmers have also shifted from using fertilizer to locally available manure due to prices.

"Fertilisers and pesticide have become expensive for farmers, I started finding ways to make my farming practices affordable," said Mukami. 

She also cited the high prices on petrol,as having crippled farm activities.

"Farming is becoming expensive from farm inputs,chemicals used to fuel, petrol scarcity and high prices for fuel are a headache to most farmers,"she added.

 

Ends....

 

UDA

 

polkitical tolerance

Safina presidential candidate  Jimmy Wanjigi says the poverty index has rose from 38%to 58%, saying this is the legacy that Uhuru will carry when he retires

Speaking in Kutus Town,Sunday after handing over a vehicle to AIPCA bishop Peter Mwangi Chege,said that when Uhuru took power in 2013,Kenya's poverty index has shot.

The presidential hopeful  said that it is too unfortunate that Kenyans continue to become poorer by day due to lack of jobs.

He blamed Uhuru for putting Kenyans  to making then poor.

Wanjigi said Kenyans who are 50Million elected him thinking he would save then,but there is lots of regrets.
"Kenyans are in regrets why they elected Uhuru thrice, instead of improving their lives,they have become more poorer"he added.

"When you took power in 2013 from Kibaki the poverty index it was at 38 %today it has shot to 58%"Wanjigi said.

He also said that the country is bankrupt fixing Kenyans to the corner,becoming more poorer.

He said bankruptcy has resulted to high prices in fuel,commodities.

That is why the government has increased water tariffs from Kshs 3,000 to Kshs 15,000 thrice so as to try and bridge the gap.

"The high cost of living,lack of fuel has been contributed by the state of Kenya,the country is bankrupt,and money has to be sourced from all corners for survival that is leaving Kenyans more poorer,"Wanjigi added.

He also condemned Raila Odinga's attack saying he was ones a victim from ODM goons saying he cannot even wish his worst enemy pass through such saying Kenya has matured politically.

"Kenya has matured politically,I urge Kenyans not to agree to be used to fight,let us tolerate other leaders "Wanjigi added.

Ends....

violence

 

Kirinyaga woman representative Wangui Ngirici has condemned attacks on two presidential candidates in various parts of the country.

Speaking at Thiba North grounds on Saturday evening, Ngirici condemned Friday's attack on Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga at the burial of former Uasin Gishu businessman Jackson Kibor at Soy terming it as an unfortunate incident.

A chopper that was carrying Raila and his ODM members came under attack from rowdy youths who threw stones damaging it.

"We condemn such acts," Ngirici said.

She also pointed an incident where Deputy President William Ruto's motorcade was stoned in Kondele, Kisumu county saying was unfortunate to have leaders attacked during their campaigns anywhere in the country.

Ngirici went on to say that Kenyans should learn to coexist with each other despite their political affiliation.

She, however, urged her supporters not to engage anyone in fist fight instead and pray for her to win.

"I do not want my supporter to lift a hand and slap an opponent. I do not want violence. What I need now are prayers and your vote," Ms Ngirici told her supporters.

Ends.../