The Turkana County Government is strengthening its partnership with the Cereal Growers Association (CGA) in a renewed effort to improve agricultural productivity and transform irrigation schemes into commercially viable agribusiness hubs.
The initiative was discussed during a strategic engagement led by Chief Officer Janerose Tioko of the Department of Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Donor Coordination, alongside CGA Programmes Officer Geoffrey Wanjala and Agribusiness Coordinator Zachaeus Kibet.
Discussions focused on addressing market bottlenecks, reducing post-harvest losses and promoting high-value agricultural value chains, particularly groundnuts and sorghum.
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Tioko reaffirmed the department's commitment to formalising partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and connecting development partners to priority investment gaps within the county.
She cited a study tour of Morulem, Katilu and Loima irrigation schemes, including TISA, Nanyee and Napool, as an opportunity to identify practical interventions that can strengthen agricultural production and improve market access for farmers.
She noted that agriculture remains central to the Governor's development agenda, particularly Agenda One, which focuses on access to safe water, and Agenda Two, which prioritises food security.
Tioko also emphasised the importance of involving young people in agricultural activities to ensure they benefit from county investments and contribute to the growth of the sector.
Deputy Director Emmanuel Esau, from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Land Reclamation, encouraged farmers to adopt climate-resilient seed varieties and use organic manure to improve soil fertility and support sustainable agricultural production.
The engagement identified several priority areas, including expanding youth-led shared mechanisation services, strengthening market linkages, establishing Farmers Service Centres and extending stakeholder consultations to the sub-county level.
The proposed interventions are intended to improve farmers' access to agricultural services, strengthen production systems and create better opportunities for marketing their produce.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), SIDAI, Seed Savers and TUPADO.
Ward administrators from Loima, Katilu, Turkwel, Morulem and Lokori, among other areas, also participated in the engagement.
The partnership is expected to strengthen coordination between the county government, farmers and development partners as Turkana seeks to unlock the economic potential of its irrigation schemes and advance food security.