Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has announced significant advancements in the agricultural sector, highlighting key initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the county.

Speaking at Tom Mboya Labour college, Nyong’o noted that agriculture remains a critical pillar of the county’s economy, contributing 16.6 per cent to the Gross County Product (GCP) and supporting 62 per cent of the local population. The GCP measures the value created through production by residents of a specific county in Kenya.

In line with national and county development frameworks such as Vision 2030 and the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the governor emphasised that his government has prioritised the modernisation of agriculture to transform it into a commercially oriented sector.

“Given that agriculture contributes significantly to our economy, my administration is committed to supporting our farmers by enhancing productivity, providing technical support, and improving access to modern farming tools,” Nyong’o stated.

One of the key successes of the year has been the expansion of agricultural extension service. The governor revealed that 111 experienced extension staff were recruited, reducing the staff-to-farmer ratio from 1:10,000 to 1:3,000. “This move has ensured that more farmers receive on-the-ground support and advice on best practices,” he said.

Additionally, 42 agripreneurs were brought on board through the World Bank-funded National Agricultural and Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) to assist in key agricultural areas such as Awasi/Onjiko, East Kano, and West Nyakach.

“Through these efforts, we are ensuring that our farmers are better equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed,” Nyong’o explained.

In a push for human resource development, the governor announced that Kisumu County has invested Sh12 million in the revitalisation of Maseno Agricultural Training College (ATC) as a centre of excellence. He also highlighted the completion of the Pap Konam Agricultural Training College in Seme sub-County, which is set to admit its first cohort of students soon.

Nyong’o also noted that the county government, in collaboration with the National Irrigation Authority, distributed fertilisers and certified seeds to thousands of farmers.

Over 180,000 farmers have been profiled on the national agricultural digital platform, and the Governor mentioned that rice yields in Ahero and West Kano irrigation schemes have increased to as high as 35 bags per acre. In the cotton sector, which is the second-largest cash crop in Kisumu, Nyong’o acknowledged challenges in seed availability but stressed that the county’s cotton production still generated Sh15 million in income.

According to the County Minister for Agriculture Kenneth Onyango said the county has partnered with the national government to participate in the national cotton revitalisation programme, distributing cotton seeds to 6,500 acres to boost production,