Extension services in Vihiga County have been boosted after the Governor commissioned two vehicles and 20 motorcycles to be used by extension officers.
The vehicles and motorcycles were bought through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) component three which deals with capacity building of county Governments to support community-led development initiatives. They will enable extension officers to move with ease as they reach out to farmers giving information on the right farming methods and technology.
Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo said that NARIGP has been instrumental in teaching new technology in farming and making Vihiga farmers move from the traditional subsistence farming to agribusiness. The Governor said that capacity building is a critical ingredient in ensuring the success of NARIGP. “Am challenging our youths to take agribusiness seriously because it pays handsomely than formal employment,” said the Governor.
According to the County, 100 youths have been trained as Community Facilitators for the Field Farmer Schools (FFS) that will be educating farmers on the best farming practices. The FFS program will run for 20 weeks and aims to build capacity on new farming technologies to farmers.
The Deputy Governor Dr. Patrick Saisi said extension services to farmers is critical because it makes farmers have the right information and get it right.
Agriculture CEC Geoffrey Vukaya said NARIGP operation period in the County has been extended from 2021 to 2023 and challenged farmers to take advantage of it and venture into agribusiness.
