Nakuru County’s Agricultural Training Center (ATC) has received a significant boost with the provision of ICT equipment for the Nakuru call center.
This initiative, funded by the EU and DANIDA through the AgriFI food safety program, is set to revolutionize agricultural services delivery across the county.
While receiving the donations, the county Chief Agricultural Officer Newton Mwaura said the call center, equipped with advanced ICT, will provide farmers with real-time access to critical agricultural information, including weather updates, market trends, best practices, and expert advice.
Mwaura said the ICT infrastructure will enable the ATC to deliver timely and relevant training programs, reaching a wider audience of farmers through online platforms and virtual workshops.
The chief agricultural officer highlighted that farmers will be empowered to make informed decisions based on data-driven insights, such as soil analysis reports, crop health assessments, and market forecasts, which has proved to be a real challenge for local farmers.
In most cases farmers are faced with glut production whenever they harvest their maize and potatoes, and are forced to sell at throw away prices, which benefits the middlemen.
The agricultural officer noted that the call center can connect farmers to potential buyers, both locally and internationally, helping them expand their markets and increase income.
Additionally, he said the ICT tools will foster a sense of community among farmers, enabling them to share experiences, collaborate on projects, and collectively address their challenges.
However, the chairman of small-scale farmers in the county Bernard Mwenje said the promise might not materialize and their only request to both National and County Governments is to priorities their members in the procurement processes of prisons and schools.
“Whenever, a government official promises to assist us access the local and international markets, we get surprised, because we wonder the magic or vote they will use for that kind of exercise. In most cases they forget that we understand market forces,’’ says Mwenje.
The other additional benefits of the modernized training facility are provision of a conducive learning environment for farmers, promoting skill development and knowledge transfer.
Apart from that the pesticide residue analyzer will help ensure the safety of food products, protecting both the consumers and producers.
The training program will focus on sustainable agriculture techniques, such as climate-smart-farming and organic farming, promoting environmental conservation and long-term food security.
Meanwhile, by leveraging ICT, Nakuru County is poised to empower its farming community, leading to increased productivity, improved livelihoods and a more sustainable agricultural sector.
By Veronica Bosibori
