Mugambi’s success story reflects impact of county’s free certified seed programme
Mr Julius Mugambi at his farm in Gaciegoki village in Igambango'mbe ward in Tharaka Nithi County.
By Faith Mwanza, Linet Neemah and Alex Njeru
For years, Mr. Julius Mugambi of Gaciegoki Village in Igambang’ombe Ward struggled with poor harvests, relying on recycled seeds that often yielded little and left his family vulnerable to food shortages.
Today, however, the maize farmer is counting his blessings as he looks forward to one of his best harvests yet, thanks to a free certified seeds programme introduced by Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
Standing in his flourishing maize field, Mugambi says the county government’s agricultural support programme has transformed farming in the area and improved the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
“Since Governor Njuki introduced the free certified seeds programme in 2017, my harvest has improved every season. This year, I expect a bumper harvest that will not only feed my family but also earn me good income from sales,” he said during an interview at his home.
Mugambi, who combines maize farming with dairy farming, says the programme offers a double benefit. Besides harvesting grain, the maize stalks provide valuable feed for his dairy cows, reducing livestock feeding costs.
He noted that farmers across the area are optimistic about the season’s yields, with maize, beans and green grams distributed by the county government performing exceptionally well.
“My neighbours are very happy because the crops are doing well. Many families will have enough food and still sell the surplus to meet other needs, including paying school fees for their children,” he said.
According to Mugambi, the programme has gone beyond seed distribution by providing farmers with free agricultural extension services through county agricultural officers.
“We not only receive the seeds but also get professional advice on modern farming methods. This has helped us increase productivity significantly,” he added.
Before the programme was introduced, many farmers relied on seeds retained from previous harvests, resulting in poor yields and recurring food insecurity.
“Most farmers could not afford certified seeds because they were too expensive. We ended up planting poor-quality seeds and harvesting very little. Things have changed completely,” he said.
Mugambi observed that food production in the county has improved considerably, reducing dependence on relief food that was once common in many parts of the county.
He appealed for the continuation of the programme beyond Governor Njuki’s tenure, saying it has become a lifeline for farming households.
The farmer also lauded the county government’s subsidized Artificial Insemination programme, saying it has enabled many dairy farmers to access improved breeds, leading to increased milk production and higher incomes.
Another farmer from the area, Ms Mary Gaceri echoed Mugambi’s sentiments, noting that agriculture has undergone a major transformation compared to the past when farming relied heavily on traditional methods and intensive manual labour.
“Previously, we spent a lot of time weeding by hand and still harvested little. Today, modern farming technologies and improved seeds have made farming more productive and profitable,” Gaceri said.
She added that the adoption of herbicides has reduced the burden of manual weeding, enabling farmers to manage larger acreages with less effort.
The farmer further praised the County Livestock Department for training farmers on improved animal husbandry practices, saying crop residues are now effectively utilized as livestock feed, reducing costs while improving animal health and productivity.
She commended the county government for bringing agricultural services closer to residents and urged continued investment in both crop and livestock programmes to further improve livelihoods in the county.
The County Government distributes free certified seeds to approximately 100,000 farmers across its 15 wards every planting season, a programme that has significantly contributed to increased food production and strengthened the county’s position as one of the leading food-producing area.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- KALRO conference to spotlight AI, climate-smart innovations in agriculture
- The queen returns: Serena Williams stages grass-court comeback at Queen’s
- Wembanyama leads Spurs to 115-111 Game 3 victory, halts Knicks’ 13-game play-off streak
- Pope urges peace, criticises Europe’s rising defence spending
- A celebration of poetry and meaning: Global author spotlight features leaves of luminous thoughts
About the Author
