Sports Minster Paul Otuoma (Left) and Samia DC George Onyango when he paid him a courtesy visit in his office.[PHOTO|Frankiline Bwire|Westfm]

The government has been urged to provide relief food for hundreds of families facing starvation in Samia District, Busia County.

According to the area District Commissioner George Onyango, majority of the farmers in the Southern and Northern parts of the District lost their crops due to the drought season that resulted them into poor harvests.

“Most of the farmers in the District have reported crop failures due to the erratic rainfall pattern in the area which made the situation quite unpleasant,” he said, during a courtesy call in his office by the area legislator Dr Paul Otuoma.

Onyango said they will make an assessment to come up with a comprehensive report about the situation to identify the number of people affected and those who will be beneficiaries if the government will provides the relief food.

“Majority of the farmers reported that the crops they had planted including sorghum and maize were destroyed by drought,” said the DC, adding that pests and diseases did not spare crops that had survived.

He encouraged farmers in the area to diversify their farming activities and plant drought resistant crops using the improved seeds to ensure food security in the area.

“Let the farmers cultivate drought resistant crops that are certified and take advantage of the available agricultural experts to equip themselves with information that is vital for farming activities,” Onyango said.