(Migori) – Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, announced the recruitment of 300 young agripreneurs in Migori County as part of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes agriculture as a means of achieving complete food and nutrition security for all citizens. This initiative, he explained, is a core component of the government’s strategy to empower communities and address food insecurity.
During a visit to Migori, Koskei laid the foundation stone for Madaras Senior School and International Curriculum Campus and later inspected ongoing construction at the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project-Phase II in Nyatike Sub-county. He emphasized that improving food security is a top government priority and noted the essential role of irrigation projects in achieving this goal.
Koskei introduced the 300 newly recruited agripreneurs, who are expected to support local farmers in critical agricultural sectors, including rice and sugar production. The aim is to create more job opportunities for youth by equipping them with the skills needed to assist local farming communities, promoting a shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture with a focus on digital innovation.
According to Koskei, the recruitment process for agripreneurs has already been completed in 15 counties, with each county selecting seven agripreneurs per ward. The program will continue to expand to additional counties, where agripreneurs will provide farmers with essential technical support and contribute to economic growth.
Koskei also encouraged farmers in Migori County to increase their agricultural and fish production to further support food security initiatives.
| Key Components of BETA Agripreneurs Program | Goals |
|---|---|
| Recruitment of agripreneurs across counties | Employment generation and youth empowerment |
| Focus on rural to commercial farming shift | Economic growth and rural development |
| Digital innovation integration | Modernization of agriculture |
| Local technical support for farmers | Improved crop yields and food security |
“Migori County is blessed with fertile soils and good rainfall,” Koskei noted, adding that government subsidies on fertilizers have further empowered local farmers to boost their production of crops like sugarcane and maize, as well as fish.
Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, highlighted the ongoing Lower Kuja Irrigation Project, which is expected to generate approximately 70,000 metric tonnes of rice annually, accounting for about 10% of Kenya’s total rice production of 700,000 metric tonnes. Kimotho noted that the irrigation scheme will not only strengthen the nation’s food security efforts but also create job opportunities across various stages of food production, from processing and marketing to consumption, thereby enhancing farmers’ incomes.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Ronoh revealed that, following a directive from the President, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) has established a store at its Migori office where farmers can access government-subsidized fertilizers. This new facility will reduce farmers’ transportation costs, as they no longer need to travel 31 kilometers to Migori town to procure the fertilizers.
Ronoh further noted that the government has opened National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots across the country to buy maize directly from farmers, with the Ministry of Agriculture setting a price of Ksh3,500 per 90-kilogram bag. He encouraged maize farmers in Migori and across Kenya to utilize the depots for their produce to secure favorable prices.
Additionally, Ronoh disclosed that the government is currently importing fertilizers to ensure farmers have access to the subsidized inputs needed to boost production and help Kenya reduce its reliance on imports, particularly for key staples like rice and sugar.
Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko, who accompanied Koskei on his tour, noted that the government’s commitment to expanding irrigation infrastructure, such as the Lower Kuja project, demonstrates a promising move towards sustainable agricultural development. Governor Ayacko mentioned that, once fully operational, the irrigation scheme is expected to bring approximately 19,000 acres of land under rice production, significantly boosting local agriculture and contributing to national food security.
Governor Ayacko added that the newly appointed youth agripreneurs will provide crucial technical assistance to farmers in Migori County, supporting increased productivity, higher incomes, and improved food security both locally and nationally.