The County Government of Trans Nzoia has taken members of the County Executive Committee (CECMs) through the draft Agroecology draft policy, in a sensitisation meeting held by the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries.
County CEC Member for Agriculture, Phanice Nalika Khatundi, said the policy is a holistic approach to agricultural development that integrates indigenous knowledge, scientific innovation and local practices.
“We want to work with nature rather than against it, to produce food in ways that are sustainable, viable and inclusive,” she explained.
Khatundi noted that the meeting aimed to brief the County Executive commitee members (CECM) on the current status of the policy development process and share key highlights.
“The team will interrogate the document and provide inputs to strengthen it,” she said.
Why is Trans Nzoia pushing for Agroecology policy?
She added that the policy seeks to address constraints undermining agriculture in Trans Nzoia, including soil health degradation, loss of agrobiodiversity, poor climate resilience, ecosystem challenges, and nutrition gaps.
It will also tackle enterprise development, farmer capacity, gender inclusion, and coordination bottlenecks.
Trans Nzoia County Director of Agriculture, Simion Mwombe, outlined priority actions such as integrated soil fertility management, organic restoration, crop diversification, agroforestry and ecological pest control.
“We want to restore degraded landscapes, improve water use efficiency and strengthen ecosystem resilience,” he said.
The County assembly members of the agriculture committee will also be taken through the draft policy. There after, the policy will be subjected to public participation before it is handed over to the cabinet for approval before the end of next month.
The led Draft Policy consultant Edward Masinde emphasised governance and financing.
“If approved, the policy will ensure inclusion and equity. The framework will be led by an Agroecology Multi-Stakeholders Forum, with at least 10 percent of the agriculture budget allocated to agroecology,” he said.
Opportunities available in Trans Nzoia’s policy
Director of Crops, Kenneth Kagai, highlighted opportunities including low production costs, high productivity, employment creation, investment attraction, food security and long-term public health savings.
The partners pledged support. Mary Irungu of PELUM Kenya applauded the effort, saying, “Partners are ready to support implementation, but this will only succeed if the County commits to pass and implement the policy.”
David Mwangi of Manor House Agriculture Centre Kitale urged action. “Many good policies end up gathering dust. This one must be approved and implemented to benefit the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said.
The meeting was attended by majority of the CECMs including Gideon Barongo (Roads and Public Works), Robert Wamalwa (Water, Environment and Climate Change), Janereso Nasimiyu Mutama (Education and Vocational Training), Pius Gumo (Lands and Housing), Patrick Gacheru (Trade and Industrialisation), Christopher Lorot (Health and Sanitation), and Eliud Tormoi (Sports, Gender, Youth and Culture).
They noted the role each sector will play in ensuring the policy benefits communities at the grassroots.
