- Nakuru vegetable farmers are being equipped with skills to improve productivity and farm incomes.
- Climate-smart technologies are offering new ways to sustain vegetable production throughout the year.
- Farmers are embracing modern techniques to strengthen food security and create rural jobs.
Smallholder vegetable farmers in Nakuru County have received a major boost after a programme was launched to train them on modern farming technologies.
Practices such as drip irrigation, greenhouses, hybrid seeds and precision technology raise crop yields and save water. They also allow year-round production and increase farmers’ incomes, while strengthening the country’s food security.
The programme is a joint venture between the Korean Programme for International Cooperation in Agriculture Technology (KOPIA) and the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF). KOPIA runs diverse programmes aimed at helping smallholder farmers across the country. It has been at the forefront of training farmers on modern technologies and the latest agricultural practices, with the goal of raising productivity and household incomes.
Francis Boro, an agricultural expert at KOPIA, said the participating farmers are being trained on key practices. According to him, these will not only boost yields but also go a long way in improving their socio-economic stability.
Speaking on the sidelines of a training session at Nakuru Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), Mr Boro said farmers are being equipped with climate-smart practices. They include growing drought-tolerant and resilient African indigenous vegetables such as managu, terere and sagaa.
He added that farmers are being taught how to use greenhouses, shade nets and soil-free systems such as hydroponics. In his words, these systems protect crops from extreme weather, pests and seasonal limits, ensuring a steady supply to the market.
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“We are also training farmers in the use of high-yield certified seeds so that they can maximise production and ensure year-round supply of vegetables,” he said. “Other skills we are imparting include water management and space-saving solutions, so that they can use the right irrigation methods, especially drip irrigation.”
KOPIA Kenya Director Dr Ji Gang Kim said the programme focuses on giving smallholder vegetable farmers the practical skills needed for quality production and sustainable farming. This is especially important amid the global climate change crisis.
He added that more farmers across the country will benefit, as KOPIA will work closely with other partners. These include farmers’ groups and organisations, as well as county governments. Dr Kim noted that agriculture remains one of the strongest tools for improving rural livelihoods and food production, provided farmers are supported with the right knowledge and technologies.
Frida Kagwiria of KENAFF echoed these sentiments. She noted that most vegetable farmers in the country fail to benefit fully from their farming because they lack knowledge of the best practices. In her view, the programme will not only boost national vegetable production but also improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Farmers Peter Mburu and Alice Kiama described the training as an eye opener that will turn vegetable farming into a lucrative venture. Mr Mburu said that skills in irrigation, mulching, soil testing, disease and pest control, organic manure preparation, post harvest handling and marketing will help vegetable farmers generate fortunes. He added that they will also contribute significantly to food security and job creation.
“This collaboration with KOPIA is helping us embrace modern and commercially viable agriculture,” he said. “The partnership goes beyond increasing our incomes to creating jobs for the youth and ensuring that the country’s food basket is supplied year-round.”
By John Kamau
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