Turkana County Government has taken a step towards strengthening agriculture after stakeholders met in Lodwar to validate the draft Turkana County Agriculture Policy 2025.
The two-day forum brought together farmers, development partners, the private sector, local university colleges, policymakers, government agencies, civil society organizations, and non-state actors. The meeting focused on refining the draft policy and its areas of intervention to support growth in the county’s agriculture sector.
Speaking through Director of Agriculture Aron Nanok, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr. Michael Eregae, said the county government is committed to tackling food and nutrition challenges.
“Once the policy is finalized, we will strive to address the perennial food and nutrition security challenge affecting a large number of our people. In addition, not only does this policy align with global, regional and national frameworks, it also aligns with Governor Lomorukai’s agenda on food security in increasing agricultural productivity through irrigation and improved farming techniques, supporting and storing grain reserves, and fostering peace and stability as a foundation for food systems in Turkana,” said Dr. Eregae.
He added that the county would focus on creating synergy among agriculture, livestock, and fisheries to build a sustainable food base.
Dr. Eregae explained that the policy provides a framework to guide growth, regulation, and transformation of the sector, with crop production as a key area.
County Assembly Committee Chair on Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, Samal Etubon, welcomed the development. “I am happy the county will soon have an agriculture policy in place, bringing to an end the many years of food insecurity and dependence on relief food distribution,” he said.
Katilu Ward MCA urged the county government to partner with Turkana University College to introduce agriculture-related bachelor’s and master’s courses in agribusiness, rather than only offering diplomas in general agriculture. He also called for the creation of a fund to finance farming activities instead of relying on limited budget allocations.
Farmers also raised challenges affecting the sector. Hosea Lotiir, Chairman of the Lokubae Irrigation Scheme in Turkana East, said the spread of prosopis in fertile areas has affected farming. He urged the county to include ways in the policy to reclaim land invaded by the weed, especially along irrigated riverine areas.
Grace Aipa from Catholic Relief Services said the draft policy should be enriched by including existing county laws such as the Animal Health Act 2024.
