Individual investors to bid for inactive state land

Individual investors to bid for inactive state land

Individuals and firms interested in investing in idle government land will have to show their financial muscle before they are allowed to start commercial farming at the State-owned farms.

Agriculture and Livestock PS Harry Kimtai says the committee that has been tasked to initiate the leasing framework, will  require proof of one having been involved in major investment activities, as a requirement to allocation of land for farming under the programme.

He said the framework, which has been completed and currently awaiting its adoption, has been established in conjunction with the Ministry of Lands.

The PS said the framework will help curb a scenario where one bids for a lease and then fails to utilize the allocated parcel.

We are not going to discriminate on individuals who want to invest in these lands, however, the person has to show us proof of being an investor as well as having a certain amount of money to lease the farm,” said Mr. Kimtai.

Last month, the Cabinet, chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, approved the policy on large-scale commercialization of public land held for agricultural production.

The policy seeks to provide a framework for the utilisation of idle land owned by public institutions for large-scale commercial agricultural production.

The PS said other vast lands that the government owns in areas such as Isiolo, Samburu, Mandera, Lodwar and Wajir will also be given to private investors to specifically grow pasture for livestock to avert animal deaths that are occasioned by drought.

“We want to bring in people who can use this land for the production of pasture so that the pastoralists will not have to move to other regions such as Ethiopia and Uganda in search of fodder,” he said.

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