Farmers Laud Egerton University in Community Seed System Under Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP)

Egerton University, through the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) a Government of Kenya project jointly supported by the World Bank has been actively involved in supporting farmers through various training and extension services.

KCSAP has been implemented over a five-year period (2017-2022) under the framework of the Agriculture Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) (2010-2020) and the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS, 2010).

This is a program that the Director of Agro-Science Park at Egerton University Professor Paul Kimurto has been championing through the seed Unit section and the Crops department.

“The KCSAP program is a life-changing program that has seen the community seed system gain. Farmers in Laikipia, Nakuru, and Baringo Counties have benefitted from our training and support through our technical teams in the field,” said Professor Kimurto.

Six Producer Community-Based Organizations

Within Laikipia County, there are six Producer Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) actively involved in the collaboration. These CBOs are located in Rumuruti, Olmoran, Tigithi, Salama, Segera, and Ngobit wards. The presence of these organizations demonstrates the commitment of both Egerton University and Laikipia County to empower and support local farmers across various regions within the county.

As part of the collaboration, the University has trained approximately 107 groups that are exclusively engaged in bean production for the community seed system. The project has played a crucial role in empowering these farmers by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their agricultural practices.

Lilian Samoei, a trainer involved in the program, highlights the adoption of specific bean varieties that are suitable for the local climate. These include Chelalang, Tasha (developed by Egerton University), Nyota, and katb1 from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). These varieties have been selected as part of the Climate Smart project, which is nearing its completion.

“We have prepared the farmers in the community seed system production. They have now formed themselves in co-operatives where they aggregate their produce and sell to the market at the prices they regulate. Through the Sacco’s they are able to retain the seeds for the next planting season,” said Lilian.

The training provided to farmers under the climate-smart initiative has proven to be highly beneficial. It has enabled farmers to engage in farming practices even in low rainfall areas and achieve high yields. By utilizing the knowledge and techniques gained through the training, farmers have been able to overcome the challenges posed by unfavourable climatic conditions and maximize their agricultural productivity.

The collaboration between Egerton University and Laikipia County has undoubtedly had a positive impact on the agricultural sector in the region. By providing farmers with quality seeds, training, and support throughout the production and marketing process, the partnership has contributed to increased agricultural productivity, improved livelihoods, and the overall development of the farming communities in Laikipia County.

By Kurian Musa

Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization

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