Mt. Elgon farmers challenged to take up pyrethrum farming
Mt.Elgon farmers called upon to be part of reviving pyrethrum sector
This has come after a long collapse of the sector due to lack of readily available market. However, the privatization of Pyrethrum Board of Kenya to Pyrethrum Processing Company Limited has brought a ray of hope to farmers.
Aila Ndiwa, Mt. Elgon Assistant Field Officer of Pyrethrum Processing Company has encouraged farmers to visit their officers and learn more about the lucrative practise.
“Our offices are always open to farmers; we are already receiving them and still encouraging more to come along,” Ndiwa said.
She also disclosed that they not only offer knowledge on farming but also register farmers to receive quality seeds.
“Farmers used to get free seeds before but we discovered free things are never valued so we started selling seeds for a ¼ acre at Ksh.570,” she divulged.
Ndiwa also discouraged group farming stating that it has proven to be unproductive from previous experience.
“Pyrethrum seeds are very delicate and need proper maintenance which is mostly intensified when dealing with an individual,” Ndiwa reiterated.
Farmers in the region however hold diverse opinion regarding the resurrection of the once valuable flower making it’s come back a little skeptical.
Patrick Ndiema a pioneer pyrethrum farmer from Nomorio challenged the processing company to choose reliable board members who’ll foresee successful running of the body.
“Besides holding barazas with farmers across the Sub-County, they should also deploy field officers in at least all wards to work closely with pioneer farmers who perfectly understand pyrethrum farming,” advised Ndiema.
Joel Kibet a veteran farmer from Kaptama however holds a contrary opinion regarding the flower farming.
“It will be a challenging task for farmers to welcome the revival of pyrethrum since the plant has not shown any added value to the soil,” lamented Joel.
As the debate on the white flower farming remains a controversial topic its fruits are yet to be seen especially now that the long rains are approaching.
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