Smallholder farmers vegetable farmers in Nakuru County have received a major boost after a programme was initiated to train them on modern technologies in their farming.
Modern vegetable farming practices—such as drip irrigation, greenhouses, hybrid seeds, and precision technology—boost crop yields, save water, allow year-round production, and increase income for farmers while enhancing the country’s food security.
The programme is a joint venture between Korean Programme for International Cooperation in Agriculture Technology (KOPIA) and Kenya National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF).
KOPIA, which has initiated diverse programmes aimed at helping smallholder farmers across the country, has been in the forefront in training farmers on modern farming technologies and latest agricultural practices geared towards increasing productivity and improving households incomes.
Francis Boro, an Agricultural expert at KOPIA divulged that farmers who will benefit with the programme are being trained on key modern practices that will not only boost their yields but will go a long way in enhancing their socio-economic stability.
Speaking at the sidelines of a farmers’ training session in Nakuru Agricultural Training Center (ATC), Boro noted that farmers are being equipped with climate-smart practices including growing drought-tolerant and resilient African Indengenous Vegetables like Managing, Terere and Sagaa among others.
Boro reiterated that farmers are being trained in the proper use of greenhouses, shade nets, and soil-free systems like hydroponics in their vegetable farming saying that these systems protect crops from extreme weather, pests, and seasonal limits, ensuring steady market supply.
“We are also training farmers in the use of high-yield certified seeds to ensure that they maximize on their production and ensure year-round supply of vegetables. Other skills we are imparting to them is water management and space-saving solutions so that they can use the right irrigation methods, especially drip irrigation,” he said.
KOPIA Kenya Director Dr Ji Gang Kim said that the programme is focused on equipping smallholder vegetable farmers with requisite practical skills that guarantee quality production and sustainable farming, especially amid the global climate change crisis.
He divulged more smallholder vegetable farmers across the country will benefit with the training as KOPIA will work closely with other partners in the programme including farmers’ groups and organizations as well as county governments.
He noted that Agriculture remains one of the strongest tolls for improving rural livelihoods and enhancing food production, if farmers are supported with the right knowledge and technologies for their ventures.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Frida Kagwiria of KENAFF who noted that most vegetable farmers in the country fail to benefit from their farming due to lack of proper knowledge on the best farming practices.
She averred that the programme will not only boost the country’s vegetable production but will go a long way in improving the livelihoods of farmers.
Farmers Peter Mburu and Alice Kiama termed the training as an eye opener that will turn vegetable farming into a lucrative venture.
Mburu said that with skills such us irrigation, mulching, soil-testing, diseases and pest control, organic manure preparation, proper post harvest practices and marketing strategies among others, vegetable farmers will generate fortunes and contribute significantly to food security and job creation.
“This collaboration with KOPIA is helping us embrace modern and commercially viable agriculture. This partnership goes beyond increasing incomes for us to creating jobs for the youth and ensuring that the country’s food basket is supplied year-round,’ he said.
