The Ministry of Agriculture has released Ksh 48 Million for boosting miraa farming in Embu County.
While disbursing the funds, Cabinet Secretary in charge of Agriculture Peter Munya said Ksh 43 M will be loaned to farmers at 3% interest while Ksh 5M for administrative purposes.
However the CS said his ministry will increase the funding by Ksh 100 M if the miraa farmers use the funds prudently.
He encouraged the farmers to join saccos which are under the umbrella of miraa union so as to continue benefiting from government funding.
Munya observed that the government is also focusing on other crops in lower Mbeere region such as cotton and yellow sweet potatoes.
The CS noted that the ministry is reviving cotton farming in Mbeere region by introducing Bt cotton variety.
He said there is much demand of cotton in the country forcing the country to get cotton from our neighbor Uganda.
Munya said the ministry will work closely with county government of Embu in facilitating revival of sweet potatoes, sunflower and cotton in Embu County.
He noted that so far over Ksh 592 Million have been spent by the ministry for agriculture in the county.
Mbeere North Sub County Deputy County Commissioner, Lucy Ndemo urged the miraa farmers who have not joined miraa saccos to do so so as to avoid misuse of proceeds from miraa.
Ndemo also challenged the farmers to ensure they invest the proceeds from miraa so as to continue benefiting from miraa in the future.
Chairman, Mbeere -Embu Miraa Cooperative Society, Jerevasio Kothe urged the CS to consider the region for supply of water which is essential for growth of muguka during dry region.
Kothe noted they had identified 14 places for water pans and only two have been constructed.
He also urged Munya to consider establishing a miraa research institute in Siakago where research on value addition and varieties of miraa can be conducted.