The Vihiga County Government and the Cereals Growers Association (CGA) on Wednesday inked a five-year memorandum of understanding deal, marking a significant step toward shifting the region’s agriculture from subsistence farming to a more commercial, business-driven model.
The Cereals Growers Association, a national non-profit membership organization, works with farmers by providing access to critical information, modern technologies, and market opportunities to strengthen agriculture as a viable enterprise.
Addressing attendees at the event, after presiding over the signing exercise, Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo said the agreement is expected to accelerate the uptake of modern farming methods and innovative approaches aimed at improving both productivity and profitability for local farmers.
He emphasized the county’s plan to roll out demonstration farms and structured implementation systems to ensure the agreement delivers tangible results.
“Farmers must rethink how they approach agriculture by adopting new technologies and business-oriented models that can generate employment and uplift livelihoods,” he said.
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The governor noted that the partnership provides a clear framework for collaboration, including well-defined mechanisms to guide joint activities throughout the five-year period.
He also expressed confidence that repositioning agriculture as a profitable venture will draw more young people into the sector.
With backing from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, CGA has already been working with smallholder farmers in Vihiga to promote sustainable farming and inclusive market access.
Through the initiative, farmers are receiving training in areas such as soil fertility management, post-harvest handling, use of digital tools, enterprise development, and climate-smart agriculture practices. These include crop-livestock integration, water conservation, and strategies to cope with drought and flooding.
The programme further supports value chain development by encouraging the cultivation of appropriate crops, improving access to mechanization, and connecting farmers to dependable markets to minimize post-harvest losses.
Additionally, the MoU outlines cooperation in key areas such as policy support, capacity building, knowledge sharing, mentorship, governance, resource mobilization, and the empowerment of youth and women; all aimed at ensuring sustainable growth of the county’s agricultural sector.
By Juma Ndigo
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