The Cereal Growers Association (CGA), in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has rolled out Farmers Service Centres (FSCs) in Kisumu, Nakuru and Kakamega counties to scale up agricultural productivity.
The FSCs, which are localised agricultural hubs run by agropreneurs identified by local communities and county governments, will act as one-stop shops for agricultural services.
The centres will bundle essential services such as input supply, mechanisation, extension services, market access, financial services, and farmer training under one roof, providing a platform to address the pressing needs of smallholder farmers more efficiently.
Speaking in Kisumu during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the County Government, Dr Osiya Mwanje, CGA’s Business Partnerships and Development Lead, said the initiative is geared towards promoting sustainable agricultural practices that respond to emerging challenges such as climate change, shrinking land sizes, and rising food insecurity.
“This pilot phase targets to reach over 40,000 farmers across the three counties. The findings from this initial rollout will inform a broader expansion plan to scale the model to 32 other counties across the country,” said Dr. Mwanje.
He emphasised that with increasing pressure on agricultural land due to population growth and urbanisation, there was an urgent need to promote technologies and farming practices that maximise yields while preserving soil health and the environment.
“Through the FSC model, farmers will benefit not only from expert advice and services but also from peer learning opportunities and farmer alliances that will enable them to access wider markets for their produce,” he added.
In Kisumu, 15 FSCs will be established, according to GIZ Policy Advisor Evans Asena.
These centres will serve as demonstration hubs and capacity-building nodes, where agropreneurs and affiliated farmers will be trained on sustainable food systems, agroecology, and climate-smart agriculture.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Agriculture Kenneth Onyango welcomed the partnership, describing it as a significant step in enhancing agricultural extension services in the area.
“This initiative, coupled with other county-level interventions, will build strong synergy and bolster our food production drive,” Onyango stated.
The County Director for Agriculture and Irrigation, Eng. Walter Odum, noted that the county had already deployed 115 agricultural extension officers across various wards and sub-counties.
However, he said that adopting and scaling the FSC model would bridge the persistent gap in extension services, especially in underserved areas.
“This is going to help us build a system that reaches farmers with practical skills and innovations needed to enhance productivity,” said Eng. Odum.
By Chris Mahandara
