Cotton Revival Blooms In Uyoma, Rarieda as Siaya County Champions Modern Farming

The County Government of Siaya, Department of Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock and Blue Economy organized a vibrant Farmers Field Day at Chamakwaro village, South Uyoma, Rarieda Sub-County, to rally local farmers behind the revival of cotton farming. The event brought together farmers, cooperatives, agricultural officers, and key stakeholders, focusing on enhancing cotton productivity using modern techniques and resilient seed varieties.

Speaking during the event, the Director of Agriculture, Mr. Vincent Okoth, emphasized the county’s unwavering support to cotton farmers including the revival of Madiany' cotton Ginnery to ease market reach to farmers. He revealed that the county government had already distributed about 23 tons of BT hybrid cotton seeds to farmers across Siaya in early February, a move aimed at boosting cotton yields and improving household incomes. He encouraged farmers to join cooperative groups to ease access to loans and marketing support. “There’s a ready market offering Ksh.72 per kilogram of cotton. Organized cooperatives can help our farmers’ access funding, inputs, and better prices,” he reiterated.

Farmers were advised to avoid traditional practices and embrace modern farming practices reclaiming cash crops for high income yields such as weekly chemical spraying for local varieties, as the BT hybrid requires fewer interventions. The field day also stressed the importance of proper soil selection, with black cotton soil being most suitable for high yields Cotton thrives best in black cotton soil because of its water retention capabilities as well as moisture. Intercropping is not advisable unless with short legume such as beans, avoid intercropping with maize since it prevent direct sunlight. Sufficient supply of plant nutrition is good for maximum number of bolls production per plant even sixty balls per plant especially the Mahyco Bollgard2 hybrid.

Among the farmers who shared testimonies during the event was Wilson Haya, a cotton farmer in Uyoma. Mr. Haya praised the county for its timely delivery of seeds and chemicals, which enabled him to plant on his three-acre farm without delays. “I extend my gratitude to the County Government of Siaya for supporting us with quality seeds and pesticides. It helped me in weed control early and I can already see the cotton plants are strong and healthy,” said Mr. Haya. “By July, I’m expecting a bumper harvest.” He further emphasized  that weed control is necessary to avoid plant nutrients competition with three times per week spraying of pesticides to prevent aphids and Red spider mites and  that cotton square only open during pollination hence early opening is a sign of bollworm that will lead to no fruit bear

The event marked a renewed sense of hope among cotton farmers in the region, as Siaya County moves toward restoring cotton farming as a viable cash crop. it concluded by the acknowledgement of some of the  hardworking farmers being given some farm tools such as Jembes, sprayers  and seedlings to encourage their effort. In addition, some tree seedlings were also issued to farmers to enhance good climate and top soil retention.