The Government is financially supporting the growing of cotton in the arid and semi-arid areas of the country in order to alleviate poverty. Baringo DO1 Charles Muathe has therefore urged Chiefs and their assistants to promote the production of the cash crop in their areas of jurisdiction. Muathe told the Provincial Administrators to utilize public barazas to educate wananchi on the benefits of growing the cash crop. He made the remarks Thursday in Kabarnet town while officially opening a national cotton stakeholder's forum. Muathe said cotton production in the country was low and as such the country has not benefitted fully from the African Growth and opportunity Act (AGOA) an initiative by the united states to promote trade with African countries. He said farmers in the low lands of the district should redouble their efforts and the acreage under the cash crop instead of relying only on livestock production. He also urged farmers to strengthen their co operative societies so as to help in marketing of the cash crop. Muathe also called for the revival of Salawa Cotton Ginnery, which he said, was under utilized by Kerio Valley cotton farmers. He said growing of cotton and other cash crops in the district, would attract the establishment of Export-Processing Zone in Kabarnet town. The DO said the town has enough land for establishment of industries, which he added, would create employment for the youth in the area. He told farmers to utilize the cheap labour in the area, agricultural extension officers and farm machinery to increase the crop out . He also called for increased production of food crops in Baringo district, especially the drought tolerant ones in order to end food insecurity in the region.