NGAO hailed for success of farmers registration programme

 

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo 

Involvement of National Government Administration Officers in registration of farmers has been cited as a reason for the success of the programme.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo noted that the voluntary exercise ensured, inclusivity, integrity and fairness.

The registration exercise started with the training of National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) officers by Interior Ministry officials in collaboration with their Agriculture counterparts.

In Bungoma, some 203,310 farmers were registered, with government statistics showing that 324, 291 fertiliser bags were distributed in the agricultural rich county.

Bungoma has more than 320 NGAO officers, which authorities say is one “of the most extensive network of field officers.”

The national drive saw more than four million farmers registered in the first round and another two million in the second registration exercise.

“NGAO officers were under strict instructions to conduct comprehensive outreach and ensure the rationale of the exercise was well-understood at the grassroots based on the guidelines provided by the Government,”  Omollo said.

According to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, the subsidised fertiliser was issued to registered farmers under digitised farmer register and was accessed through an e-wallet.

This followed a directive by President William Ruto to curb cases of malpractice that had marred previous programmes.

The government was specifically keen on ensuring unscrupulous traders didn’t access the subsidised fertilizer.

NGAO officers were seen as key agents of change at the grassroots level, where they have direct contact with farmers.

Their role in mobilising and educating farmers, authorities said, was crucial in driving the registration, and eventually increasing farm yields

BY THE STAR