Kericho county’s equalizer seedlings empowerment program, a flagship initiative by the County Government of Kericho aimed at expanding access to resilient crop seedlings, empowering smallholder farmers, and promoting climate-smart agriculture, has been transforming local farming by distributing quality seedlings across the county to encourage environmentally friendly practices that increase food production and safeguard natural resources.
Statistics from the county indicate that more than 500,000 coffee seedlings, 300,000 tea seedlings, over 50,000 avocado seedlings, and 5,000 sachets of pyrethrum seeds have been distributed so far, providing farmers with a diverse range of high-value crops that not only bolster food security but also enhance livelihoods, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the county’s economic resilience.
Farmers from several wards have already benefited from the program, including those in Chepseon, who received 50,000 coffee seedlings under the Kichawir Coffee Farmers Resilience Project, and Sigowet, where 6,000 Hass avocado seedlings were distributed to 378 farmers, helping to boost sustainable farming practices.
In Ainamoi, 2,720 Pixie orange seedlings were distributed to five farmer groups, while farmers in Kunyak, Chilchila, and Kamasian wards took part in agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture programs, promoting innovative farming techniques and increasing productivity while adapting to changing environmental conditions.
In a statement, Kericho County Governor Dr. Eric Mutai said the equalizer seedlings program is specifically designed to enhance food security, boost farmers’ incomes, and create youth opportunities through sustainable agribusiness, adding that the county has also established two community-led tree and high-value crop seedbeds one at Keongo in Kapkugerwet Ward and another at Kaitui in Soliat Ward to further support local propagation and distribution efforts.
Dr. Mutai further disclosed that the county has distributed over 400,000 tree seedlings this year in support of the Tree Growing Programme, the national drive launched by the government to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 with the aim of restoring degraded landscapes to increase Kenya’s tree cover to 30 percent.
According to Kericho County Forest Conservator Mr. James Kwambai, the county’s ambitious target is to grow 163 million trees by 2032, equivalent to planting 16 million trees annually, and while 7 million trees have already been planted, the county’s forest cover currently stands at 8.8 percent, with overall tree cover at 12 percent, highlighting ongoing efforts to restore the landscape and combat deforestation.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Agriculture reports that since December 2022, the government has facilitated the procurement, delivery, and distribution of over 3.9 million assorted crop seedlings to farmers across multiple counties through national government administrative officers, including avocado, mango, macadamia, coconut, cashew nut, pawpaw, citrus, agroforestry, tea, and coffee seedlings.
by Kibe Mburu
