A section of farmers meeting in Kakuma have told the Turkana county government to improve efficiency in farm operations by mechanizing large parcels of land through the use of modern agricultural technologies to enhance food security at the county.
Drawn from Kakuma, Kalobeyei, Letea and Lopur, they stated climate smart technologies like drip, flood-based and sprinkle irrigation models are best suited to the Turkana context, owing to the dry land farming practices.
The farmers aired their views during a public engagement forum on the proposed Turkana County Agriculture Policy 2025.
They said that farm mechanization will significantly contribute to increasing agricultural production and productivity.
This will mainly be achieved be through timely operations, efficient application of inputs and conserving soil and water resources.
The farmers emphasized that farm mechanization will create better income returns for farmers, allowing them to invest in livestock or other activities, thereby diversifying agriculture and income sources.
This will also help in reducing farm losses, apart from increasing cropping intensity.
The forum came barely days after the Agriculture technical team sought for similar public views after engaging farmers drawn from various irrigation schemes at Turkwel, Loima sub-county.
One of the participants, Imo Moru from Oropoi echoed similar sentiments saying, “It is high time for us to go the mechanization way, as large tracts of land in Oropoi can be put into large scale crop farming to realize food security at household level.”
Hosea Ameripus, the Kakuma Ward Administrator inquired if the draft policy would facilitate major investments in the major food hubs at Morulem, Turkwell and Katilu and Napuu irrigation schemes.
He also emphasized on industrial crop farming of sweet potatoes, groundnuts cotton and dragon fruits in parts of Turkana.
The participants were also keen to recommend that the policy addresses the aspect of building capacity for the youth through extension services.
This would in the long run make young people take interest in Agriculture, where according to research, aged farmers are the only ones interested in farming compared to the youth, despite the youngsters having a lot of energy for farming.
Isaac Muoki, who represented World Vision Kenya said, the draft policy should identify social behaviour change communication as a cross-cutting issue, as only change of mind will help in integrating pastoralism with farming.
A farmer in Nawontos, Hellen Amiiny, said the county government should consider establishing Tarach dam to boost agriculture along Tarch river, Loritit, Abune, Kalobeyei, Ejem refugee camp and Choro farm.
Ezekiel Dida, area Manager for Sapcone urged the government to prioritize civic education and training of farmers.
Plan International, represented by Daniel Ekal indicated that safeguards and protection on No Harm Policy for the local community was missed out.
Ekal pointed out the policy should help set out the standards for the supply and regulation of farm inputs to protect farmers from unscrupulous traders.
Director of Irrigation and Land Reclamation Richard Lokoyan lauded the efforts of partners in complementing government initiatives.
He called on partners to continue working together in co-planning and co-implementing to sequence, layer and integrate in impactful projects.
The Alliance of Bioversity-CIAT is supporting the policy review. Its Team Lead, Liz Ogutu said they will work closely with the county government to include the views and feedback from the community, stakeholders and farmers.
We will support the government in the validation process and provide technical backstopping as the county finalizes the document, added Ogutu
Other present included Ekal Lokuruka (Director, Litigation Services), Amos Esilan (Sub-county Administration, Turkana West), Emmanuel Esau (Deputy Director, Agriculture), Dorcas Ejore (Deputy Director, Administration), and Department’s technical team comprised of Juma Vitalis, Okita Francis, Vincent Cheruiyot, Alphonse Abolem and Lochakwaan Peter.
By Peter Gitonga
