NDHIWA, 24th Oct 2026 -Sugarcane farmers and livestock traders in Ndhiwa have been briefed on government interventions aimed at reducing agricultural production costs, improving animal health and expanding market opportunities, as Principal Secretary for Interior (PS) Dr Raymond Omollo held consultations with the two groups on Saturday.
Speaking during the meeting, PS Omollo said the reduction in fertiliser prices from Sh7,000 to Sh2,000 per bag had eased the financial burden on sugarcane farmers, particularly in Ndhiwa, where more than 700 hectares are under cane cultivation.
“Today the price of one bag of fertiliser has come down from seven thousand to two thousand, and for the sugarcane farmer that’s a big deal,” he said, attributing savings of more than Sh700 million to the price reduction.
Omollo said lower input costs would leave farmers with more resources to reinvest in their farms, support their households and stimulate economic activity across Homa Bay County.
On livestock production, the PS said the government had initiated a vaccination programme to improve animal health and help farmers secure better market returns.
He also announced ongoing efforts to modernise slaughterhouses, including the provision of equipment to improve the handling of animal skins and preserve their commercial value after slaughter.
The measures, he said, were intended to strengthen the livestock value chain by improving animal health, reducing post-slaughter losses and promoting value addition.
Omollo linked the interventions to the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritises agriculture and food security, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, the digital economy and affordable housing.
He said the Ndhiwa engagement formed part of broader consultations with communities, including young people, educators and small-scale traders, aimed at identifying local economic challenges and communicating government interventions.
The meeting provided sugarcane farmers and livestock traders with an opportunity to raise concerns affecting their enterprises and engage directly with government representatives on measures intended to support agricultural productivity and market access.
