BY KEPHER OTIENO

Interior and National Administration and coordination, Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing food and nutritional security in the country.

He emphasized that a significant amount of resources have been allocated to support the agricultural sector, particularly through the subsidization of fertilizer costs, which aims to boost agricultural production.

“Today, the cost of living has started to ease, with prices of basic commodities, which previously caused high inflation, now on the decline,” said Omollo.

This is primarily due to improved food supplies in the domestic market, the PS stated.

The reduction in food prices, Omollo noted, is a welcome development that will likely ease the financial pressure on households, making everyday essentials more affordable for the average citizen.

The government’s focus on improving food security aligns with its broader agricultural reforms, which are aimed at ensuring a steady and reliable food supply across the country.

Omollo highlighted that the state’s ongoing efforts to subsidize fertilizers and improve farming practices are integral to sustaining long-term food production.

“Our aim is to continue with sound agricultural reforms to boost food production in the country and ensure that every citizen has access to affordable, nutritious food,” he said in Nyarombo village in West Sakwa, in Awendo Constituency during a visit to the sugar belt at the weekend.

The positive effects of these interventions are already being seen, as food supplies in local markets continue to improve, contributing to the stabilization of food prices.

” This, in turn, is helping to alleviate the financial burden on households and reduce inflationary pressures,” the PS observed.

Omollo also emphasized that continued investment in agriculture and nutritional security remains a key priority for the government, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the country becomes more self-sufficient in food production, while also contributing to the health and well-being of its population.

Omollo addressed the ongoing concerns around the high cost of living, which had been a major driver of protests, particularly among Gen Z.

He acknowledged the challenges that many citizens have faced but emphasized that the government is committed to tackling these issues by addressing the root cause—food insecurity.

“The state aims at increasing investment in agriculture as a fundamental step in addressing food insecurity,” Omollo stated.

He explained that by prioritizing agricultural growth, the government hopes to stabilize food supplies, lower food prices, and ultimately reduce the cost of living for all citizens.

Agriculture, being the backbone of the country’s economy, plays a central role in sustaining the livelihoods of millions, and the government’s focus on it aims to ensure long-term food security.

Omollo also called on county governments to play an active role in this initiative by allocating sufficient budgets to support local agricultural programs.

“Counties must ensure that they set aside adequate funds to address food security in their regions. Agriculture is not just a national priority but a local one as well, and each county has a critical role to play,” he said.

Omollo pledged to work together at both the national and county levels, with all the 47 governors believing that the government can create a more sustainable agricultural framework that will support farmers, increase food production, and, in turn, reduce the pressure on household budgets.

“Through these concerted efforts, the government is confident that it can ease the financial burden on citizens and lay the foundation for a more secure and prosperous future,” said the PS

Present were migori governor Dr Ochillo Ayacko, Awendo MP Walter Owino, KNTC chairman Dr Evans Kidero, Lake Victoria south board chair Odoyo Owidi, Sonysugar chair Jared Kopiyo and Md Martine Dima.

PS Omollo also announced significant government efforts to revitalize the struggling sugar industry, a vital sector for many farmers across the country.

Speaking on the government’s interventions, Omollo revealed that the state has written off a massive Sh117 billion in debts that had been crippling the sugar subsector.

This step is aimed at freeing the industry from financial constraints and enabling it to thrive once again.

“The state has taken decisive action by writing off the huge debts that have been choking the sugar subsector. This amount, which stood at Sh117 billion, was a significant barrier to the industry’s growth. We are committed to ensuring that the sugar industry is revitalized and remains sustainable,” PS Omollo explained.

In addition to the debt relief, Omollo highlighted that the government is working to streamline operations within the industry through the introduction of the new Sugar Act, 2024.

This legislation is designed to regulate the sugar industry more effectively, ensuring that both millers and farmers benefit from a more structured and profitable environment.

The Act is part of a broader effort to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and address longstanding issues that have hindered the growth of the sector.

PS Omollo further assured cane farmers of the government’s unwavering commitment to the success of the sugar industry.

“We are fully dedicated to revitalizing the sugar industry. The state’s focus is not only on millers but also on making sure that cane farmers get a fair return for their hard work. We aim to make the industry more profitable for both farmers and millers alike,” he stated.

With these efforts, the government is working to ensure that the sugar industry becomes more resilient, self-sustaining, and profitable.

The debt write-off and the introduction of the Sugar Act, 2024 are key steps in creating an environment where the industry can flourish, benefiting everyone involved, from the farmers who grow the cane to the millers who process it.

Kidero and Ayacko asked farmers and traders to support the government’s reform commitment.