Vihiga County is embracing smart agriculture as a transformative strategy to create wealth and move away from subsistence farming, Governor Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichillo has said.
Speaking during the “Youth Duty-Bearers Chambua Huduma Forum” held in Mbale, Dr. Ottichillo emphasized that Vihiga’s limited land availability calls for innovative farming techniques suitable for small spaces.
“Land is scarce in Vihiga. We must embrace smart farming that makes the most of small areas,” he stated, highlighting the county’s efforts to modernize agriculture.
To drive this transition, the County Government has invested in a young, skilled workforce. A new cadre of qualified agricultural extension officers has been deployed, with over 140 youth trained and posted to every ward under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). These agripreneurs are working closely with farmers to promote innovation and share modern farming knowledge.
Dr. Ottichillo noted that the county has prioritized five key value chains for development that include dairy, poultry, African leafy vegetables, avocados, and bananas.
“Youth can choose one of these, innovate within it, and even become consultants for other farmers,” he said.
Additionally, the County has partnered with Practical Action, an international development nongovernmental organization to train over 10,000 youth in smart agriculture. So far, around 4,000 have completed the training.
To tackle the effects of climate change, Vihiga has set up a fully-fledged Directorate of Climate Change aimed at supporting innovation and building resilience in the agricultural sector.
The Governor said the county has made a significant shift from rain-fed to technology-driven farming, citing irrigation programs like the one in Bunyore and the distribution of tools and equipment to farmers.
He urged youth to form SACCOs to access county support, including funding and grants. “Resources are available. Youth must organize themselves to access them,” he said.
Governor Ottichillo also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth inclusion in governance, noting that 90% of the 700 people employed by the county in the past two years are young people.
The Chambua Huduma Forum, organized by the Siaya County Youth Network (SCYN), brought together trained youth leaders from across Vihiga to engage with the county government on governance, service delivery, and development opportunities.
By Rose Wasike
