Cheptebo: Farmers in the Cheptebo area of Keiyo Marakwet County have received training on modern farming techniques and technologies in an effort to enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training, organized by Cheptebo Rural Development Center in partnership with World Vision, brought together exhibitors, including the Kenya Seed Company, among others, to equip smallholder farmers with vital farming skills.
Speaking during the event, Titus Kiplagat Kosgey, a representative from World Vision, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and engagement of the farmers. 'It's a big day for both the farmers and World Vision. We successfully partnered with Cheptebo Rural Development to bring service providers and companies involved in farming technologies. We have Kenya Seed and several others, and the day has been a success. We have seen farmers buying seeds and others receiving training on best farming practices,' Kosgey said. However, he noted that certain challenges had been encountered in the planning process and assured that future training sessions would be better organized. 'Next time, we will plan earlier to ensure a smoother experience and avoid some of the hiccups we faced today,' he added. Kosgey also encouraged farmers to make good use of the knowledge acquired during the training to benefit both themselves and their communities.
The Manager of Cheptebo Agricultural Training Center, Daniel Chelulei, emphasized the importance of organizing such training sessions, stating that learning directly from manufacturers would be more beneficial than relying solely on agrovet suppliers. 'We saw it best to organize this training so that farmers can learn firsthand from the manufacturers rather than just buying products from agrovets without adequate knowledge,' Chelulei stated. With agriculture being the backbone of the country, Chelulei urged farmers to apply the skills they had learned to boost productivity and ensure food security.
The Center Director, Joseph Kimeli, reflected on the challenges farmers faced in 2024 in acquiring seeds and fertilizers. He expressed optimism that this year, 2025, would be different. 'Last year, farmers struggled to find seeds, but I strongly believe that this year will be different. Many farmers have now accessed quality seeds and fertilizers, and we expect a significant increase in productivity,' Kimeli said.
Farmers who attended the event lauded the initiative, saying it had saved them the trouble of traveling long distances in search of agricultural knowledge. A local farmer, Eileen Jerop, expressed gratitude for the training, disclosing how she and other farmers had previously traveled to Moi University and Eldoret Agricultural Shows to gain farming skills. 'I appreciate Cheptebo Rural Development and World Vision for organizing this program close to us. We have been traveling far to gain knowledge, but now we can access the training right here,' Jerop said.
She also acknowledged learning about solar-powered farming solutions, which she believes will enhance efficiency and sustainability. 'I have learned about solar technology, which improves overall farm efficiency, helps with water management, and is environmentally friendly. I realized that a solar system costs about Ksh 70,000, which is affordable for many farmers. I plan to invest in it to boost my agricultural activities,' Jerop added. Additionally, she applauded the banks that came to the exhibition in Cheptebo, saying that it would ease access to financial services for those who want to make inquiries as well as open new accounts, as they do not have to venture to long distances.