Nakuru County Government has unveiled an agro-ecology policy, a farmer-led initiative designed to promote sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient farming systems.
The policy aims to encourage eco-friendly practices, improve food security, reduce malnutrition, and enhance environmental conservation.
According to Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services Dr. Michael Cheruiyot, the policy guides farmers toward practices that restore the environment while ensuring safer, healthier, and traceable food.
He emphasized the need for decision-makers to adopt agroecology and agrobiodiversity-based approaches to address climate change and support economic and social livelihoods for farmers.
Speaking during an Agroecology Multi-Stakeholder Forum which convened county and national government representatives, civil society, farmer organizations, researchers, private sector actors, and development partners, Dr. Cheruiyot highlighted strategies to disseminate training and information saying public barazas, extension officers, and farmer field days would be used to encourage locals to adopt agroecology, safeguarding both livelihoods and the environment.
The forum focused on strengthening governance and institutional arrangements essential for implementing the Nakuru County Agroecology Policy effectively. Dr. Cheruiyot reaffirmed the county’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure successful adoption of agroecological practices. He said the policy outlines strategic interventions, regulatory frameworks, and institutional mechanisms to support the transition across Nakuru County.
Agroecology aims to restore ecosystems, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure access to safe, nutritious food. It also seeks to improve productivity while enhancing environmental sustainability. The policy underscores coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable approaches under Governor Susan Kihika’s administration.
“The country’s food system faces threats from climate change, land degradation, and rising hunger levels. We must now shift to resilient, sustainable, and people-centered farming practices,” Dr. Cheruiyot said.
He noted that agroecology supports soil health, smallholder farmers, and long-term food security, offering a solution to environmental and economic challenges simultaneously.
Nakuru joins other counties, including West Pokot, Kiambu, and Murang’a, in promoting agroecology to address food insecurity and climate pressures. Agroecological practices mimic natural ecosystems, enhance resilience, reduce reliance on harmful inputs, and empower smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Kenya’s food system.
Chief Officer for Agriculture, Eng. Margaret Kinyanjui, highlighted the central role of smallholder farmers as custodians of Kenya’s land and engines of the national food system. She said the policy focuses on soil health, farmer-led innovations, indigenous seeds, organic fertilizers, and reducing migration from arid and semi-arid lands by boosting local productivity.
The policy also emphasizes climate resilience, promoting diversified food production systems integrating agro-pastoralism, agroforestry, and landscape farming. Empirical studies demonstrate that agroecology strengthens smallholder resilience, improves soil fertility, fosters low-emission farming, and supports locally adapted solutions through peer-to-peer networks.
Agroecology-based approaches address major challenges in the food system, including dependency on chemical inputs, poor soil quality, degradation of water and biodiversity, and climate change. By integrating agroecology into Nakuru County’s agricultural, food, environmental, and climate policies, the government ensures that budgetary allocations support sustainable farming practices.
“Transforming our food systems is essential if we want to feed our people and preserve our land for future generations,” Dr. Kinyanjui said.
The policy provides a roadmap for promoting agroecology while enhancing livelihoods, environmental stewardship, and food security across Nakuru County.
By Esther Mwangi
