Turkana County government has advanced efforts to boost agriculture after hosting a stakeholders’ forum in Lodwar to review and validate the draft Turkana County Agriculture Policy 2025.
The two-day meeting brought together farmers, development partners, the private sector, local universities, policymakers, civil society groups, government agencies and other non-state actors.
Discussions focused on refining the draft document and identifying interventions that can drive growth in the county’s agriculture sector.
Through Director of Agriculture Aron Nanok, Dr. Michael Eregae, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Fisheries, expressed the county government’s commitment to addressing food security and nutrition challenges.
“Once the policy is finalized, we will strive to address the perennial food and nutrition security challenge affecting a large number of our people. In addition, not only does this policy align with global, regional and national frameworks, it also aligns with Governor Lomorukai’s agenda on food security in increasing agricultural productivity through irrigation and improved farming techniques, supporting and storing grain reserves, and fostering peace and stability as a foundation for food systems in Turkana,” said Dr. Eregae.
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He stressed that the county will create synergy between agriculture, livestock and fisheries to build a sustainable food base. He added that the policy offers a framework to guide growth, regulation and transformation of the sector, with crop production as a key priority.
County Assembly Committee Chair on Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, Samal Etubon, welcomed the initiative.
Katilu Ward MCA called on the county to partner with Turkana University College to introduce agriculture-related bachelor’s and master’s degree courses in agribusiness. He said the focus should move beyond the diploma level currently offered.
He further urged the creation of a dedicated fund to support farming activities instead of relying only on limited budget allocations.
Farmers at the forum also raised sector challenges. Hosea Lotiir, Chairman of the Lokubae Irrigation Scheme in Turkana East, said fertile land has been invaded by prosopis weeds, affecting productivity.
He appealed to the county to include land reclamation measures in the policy, particularly along irrigated riverine areas.
Grace Aipa from Catholic Relief Services recommended strengthening the draft by aligning it with existing laws such as the Animal Health Act 2024.
By Benedict Aoya
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