Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba has said that a report from the maize taskforce set up by President Uhuru Kenyatta to look into issues affecting the maize sector is yet to be handed over to the President. Governor Khaemba, who also coordinated the issues in the taskforce alongside Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago under the chairmanship of Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri said the report must reach the President before further discussions on it proceed. “In that taskforce, we did and finished our task around mid-March…it’s still with the Agriculture Ministry, and the Ministry has delayed handing it over.”
Speaking during a TV interview, he said there are many proposals in the report that were detailed by the members of the taskforce, “It’s not good for me to start talking about it before the President receives it,” he said. On importation of maize, Governor Khaemba said measures to improve maize production locally should be implemented, including making good use of farm soil and using modern farming methods like conservation agriculture, “When the soil is tilled, it allows water to be preserved in the soil.”
He added that modern farming methods must also go hand in hand with the current agriculture technology, “We must look closely into new biotechnology modes especially during this time of climate change,” he said, “I’ve never seen a prolonged dry season in Trans Nzoia like the one we experienced. Rains were supposed to start early to mid-March, but we’ve had rains on two days only.” He said, as a result, he has urged residents to plant early maturing crops.
