Kenya: Vihiga County distributes farm inputs worth Kshs. 6M to farmers

The article highlights a significant initiative by the Vihiga County government, led by Governor Dr Wilber Ottichilo, to boost horticultural farming by distributing African Nightshade Vegetables (ALVs) seeds and fertilizers to farmers across the county. This initiative, aimed at enhancing the production of traditional vegetables for both subsistence and commercial purposes, marks the second round of such distributions since the launch of the horticultural project in 2019. The wide array of ALVs distributed includes Lidodo, Likhubi, Lisebebe, Lisutsa, Miro, Murere, Tsimboka, and Tsisaka, all of which are rich in essential nutrients and have therapeutic properties. The governor's strategy to combat land scarcity and population pressure by promoting horticulture farming in Vihiga County receives strong support from the surging market demand for traditional vegetables at the local and international level. Furthermore, the article reveals advanced plans to construct a cold storage facility at Chavakali market to address storage issues and improve pricing for farmers. This article underscores the county government's commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, nutrition, and economic opportunities for small-scale farmers through the promotion of horticulture and the production of ALVs.