Turkana County Government has taken a critical step towards growing the agricultural sector after key stakeholders convened in Lodwar to validate the draft Turkana County Agriculture Policy 2025.
Key stakeholders including farmers, development partners, private sector, local university colleges, policymakers, government agencies, non-state actors and civil society organizations, signify a crucial step towards refining the policy and its intervention areas to effectively demonstrate a collective commitment towards growing the county’s agricultural sector.
The two-day meeting aimed at validating the proposed policy.
In his remarks read by Director of Agriculture Aron Nanok, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries Dr. Michael Eregae, emphasized the county government’s renewed commitment to addressing matters of food and nutritional security in Turkana.
“Once the policy is finalized, we will strive to address the perennial food and nutrition security challenge affecting a large number of our people. In addition, not only does this policy align with global, regional and national frameworks, it also aligns with Governor Lomorukai’s agenda on food security in increasing agricultural productivity through irrigation and improved farming techniques, supporting and storing grain reserves, and fostering peace and stability as a foundation for food systems in Turkana,” said Eregae.
He further expressed dedication for a concerted synergy among agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sub-sectors to ensure a sustainable food base for Turkana County.
Dr. Eregae highlighted that Turkana County Agricultural Policy offers a clear framework to guide the growth, regulation, and transformation of the agricultural sector, with a strong emphasis on crop production. The policy defines the county government’s ambitions to promote and manage resources in the agricultural sector, aiming to address food insecurity.
“I am happy the county will soon have an agriculture policy in place, bringing to an end the many years of food insecurity and dependence on relief food distribution,” reiterated the County Assembly Committee Chair on Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries Samal Etubon.
Additionally, the Katilu Ward MCA challenged the county government to partner with the Turkana University College to deliberately start offering various agriculture-related bachelor’s and master’s courses in agribusiness, rather than only offering diploma in general agriculture.
He also noted that there is need for the sector to consider establishing a fund that aims at financing the agricultural activities instead of relying on the meagre budgetary allocations.
The Chairman of the Lokubae Irrigation Scheme in Turkana East Hosea Lotiir said invasion of agriculturally rich areas by prosopis has become a big challenge.
He asked the county to devise appropriate ways in the policy to reclaim the already invaded large tracts of arable land, especially along the irrigated riverine areas.
Grace Aipa, who represented Catholic Relief Services, said to enrich the current draft policy, the Department of Agriculture and Land Reclamation should incorporate the county existing laws like Animal Health Act 2024 among others.
By Peter Gitonga
