By A, KNA
West Pokot County has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its agricultural systems through the Agroecology for Climate Resilience (A4CR) project, a two-year initiative designed to promote sustainable farming, restoring soil health, strengthen livestock systems, and reduce reliance on hazardous chemicals.
The project is being implemented by lead organization Biodiversity and Biosafety of Kenya in collaboration with consortium partners including Resources-Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI),Effective Integrated Pest Management Association (EIPMA) and Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN).
Launched in 2025 and set to run to 2027,the initiative targets West Pokot, Nandi, and Kirinyaga counties with West Pokot serving as a key area due to its progressive agroecological policy and diverse agroecological zones.
According to Anne Maina, National Coordinator and CEO of BIBA-Kenya, West Pokot stands out for several reasons. In 2025,the county achieved a major milestone by developing and launching its Agroecology Policy an important framework that support sustainable farming systems.
She said West Pokot’s unique landscape includes agroecological zones and strong livestock production systems.
“The county stills maintains traditional practices such as the use of organic manure, which aligns closely with agroecological principles. These existing practices provides a strong foundation for scaling up sustainable agriculture,” Madam Maina added.
The stakeholders held a consultative meeting at Sophie Hotel in Kapenguria, after signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the county’s offices between BIBA-Kenya, its consortium partners, and West Pokot County Government. The agreement will guide the implementation and development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for agroecology policy.
The Agroecology for Climate Resilience Project aims to promote Agroecology and the reduction of the use of highly hazardous pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Farmers will be supported to transition to the use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. As safer and more sustainable alternative
Under the leadership of Esther Bett, Executive Director of Resources-Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI),the project will train farmers on soil improvement, promote production and use of bio-fertilizer, bio-inoculates, and bio-pesticides, encourage water harvesting and conservation, strengthen seed-saving practices, and improve livestock management systems.
Bett highlighted that a key concern in West Pokot is increasing resistance of blue ticks to conventional acaricides.
“Farmers have reported reduced effectiveness of chemical treatments. leading to higher livestock losses. The project aims to introduce alternative, sustainable livestock management strategies to combat tick infestation while reducing chemical dependence,” she highlighted.
One of the core objectives of the initiative is to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and veterinary chemicals. The project builds on national advocacy efforts that led to the gazettement and withdrawal of 77 hazardous toxic pesticides in 2024.
Beyond production, the initiative will be strengthening markets for organic produce. In collaboration with the Kenya organic Agriculture network (KOAN), farmers will receive support in proper data collection and record keeping, meeting organic certification standards, establishing markets linkages, and setting up organic produce corners and consumption sites.
Bett noted that aggregators and agro-inputs dealers will also be encouraged to stock bio-fertilizers, bio-inoculations, and bio-pesticides produced and packaged locally, ensuring accessibility of agroecological inputs.
Meanwhile, EIPMA will conduct research to asses the impact of bio-pesticides and bio-inoculants on soil health, the effect of acaricides on livestock and ecosystems, and improvements in productivity under agroecological systems.
The evidence generated will support policy advocacy and demonstrate that agroecology is not only environmentally sustainable but also economically viable.
She said the agroecology for Climate Resilience Project represent more than a farming intervention, noting that it is a movement towards healthier communities, restored ecosystems, and resilient food systems.
West Pokot County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation and Fisheries, Wilfred Longronyang, emphasized the urgent need to address soil degradation and harmful effects of chemical overuse.
He noted that excessive use of acaricides, pesticides, and inorganic fertilizers has degraded soil biodiversity, reduced beneficial micro-organisms and soil organisms, contributed to health risks, including cancer, and increased antimicrobial resistance in human and animals.
CEC Longronyang explained that the agroecology approach seeks to “restore nature to its original state,” encouraging farmers to return to organic manure, organic inputs, and environmental production systems.
He added that awareness campaigns across the county will help farmers transition away from the harmful chemicals towards safer alternatives.
West Pokot is positioning itself as a model county in sustainable agriculture. The leaders at the stakeholder’s forum emphasized, the goal is clear: rejuvenate the soil, protect livestock, safeguard human health, and build a resilient agricultural system that can withstand the pressures of climate change.
CEC Longronyang explained that the initiative calls on farmers and stakeholders to embrace agroecology, reduce chemical dependency, and produce safe, healthy food for present and future generations.
End/Agriculture/Mwangi/Ongaga
Caption photos
IMG- 2400 Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the county’s offices between BIBA-Kenya, its consortium partners, and West Pokot County Government. The agreement will guide the implementation and development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for agroecology policy. On Tuesday February 24, 2026
Photo caption by Anthony Melly
IMG- 2401 The stakeholders held a consultative meeting at Sophie Hotel in Kapenguria, after signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the county’s offices between BIBA-Kenya, its consortium partners, and West Pokot County Government.The agreement will guide the implementation and development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for agroecology policy.on Tuesday February 24, 2026 Photo caption by Anthony Melly