By Hopkin Reporter
Farmers across Kitui County are set to benefit from the distribution of BT cotton seeds to improve production.
The seed targets to boost cotton production in the country to provide sufficient raw materials for state and private cotton industries which have been revamped.
The launch will take place in Kenya KEFRI on Friday 13th October 2023, and presided over by Dr. Juma Mukhwana, (HSC) PS – State Department for ministry of industry, trade and cooperatives.
“Cotton is among the few cash crops that thrive well in the fragile ASAL regions where few other economic opportunities exist, hence providing a source of livelihood to rural communities in ASAL areas where poverty levels are high,” Hopkin Digital reports.
According to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Cotton production in the country declined from a peak of 70,000 bales per year in 1986 to about 5, 500 bales per year in 2019.
While the domestic market demand for cotton stands at 140,000 bales, the country has the potential to produce up to 368,000 bales of lint annually.
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