The County Government of Trans Nzoia has celebrated the achievements of the Green Employment in Agriculture (GEA) Program, describing it as a transformative initiative that has significantly improved livelihoods, strengthened agricultural value chains, and promoted sustainable farming practices across the county.

Speaking during the GEA Program close-out meeting, Governor George Natembeya praised the partnership between the County Government and the Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), noting that the collaboration has delivered tangible economic and social benefits to farmers and communities.

The Governor observed that the program has contributed immensely to food production, income diversification, and farmer empowerment, while also promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

Program Injected Billions into Agricultural Development
The Green Employment in Agriculture Program has invested more than Sh2.5 billion across 12 counties over the last five years, supporting smallholder farmers through training, infrastructure development, market access initiatives, and climate-smart agriculture programs.

Trans Nzoia County was among the beneficiary counties, receiving direct investments aimed at strengthening horticulture, avocado farming, poultry production, and export-oriented agriculture.

County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Phanice Nalika Khatundi, lauded the program’s impact on farmers and agricultural development in the county.

“The program delivered major gains in capacity building and value chains like horticulture and avocado,” she said.

Khatundi further revealed that Trans Nzoia County earned three awards under the program, an indication of the county’s strong performance and growing recognition at the national level.

“We received three awards that prove the county’s performance and recognition at national level,” she added.

Infrastructure and Farmer Ownership Strengthened
Trans Nzoia GEA Program Coordinator and County Director of Crops Kenneth Kagai described the program achievements as a major foundation for long-term agricultural transformation in the county.

According to Kagai, the infrastructure established under the initiative has empowered farmers and strengthened community ownership of agricultural projects.

“This is a foundation, not an end. The infrastructure handed over to farmers is overwhelming in scope and quality. It shows real investment and gives farmers ownership,” he stated.

The county received approximately Sh11.5 million under the initiative, with nearly Sh9 million invested directly in agricultural infrastructure projects including:

🟢 Infrastructure and Investments Supported Through the Program:

✔️ Nursery establishment projects
✔️ Vermiculture production units
✔️ Aggregation and collection facilities
✔️ Farmer training and demonstration centers
✔️ Climate-smart agricultural technologies

County officials emphasized that maximizing the use of these facilities will be critical in ensuring long-term sustainability and continued benefits for farmers.

Program Expanded Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers
MESPT Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Mukoye explained that the program initially focused on dairy and meat production before shifting in 2021 toward diversification of farmer incomes through alternative enterprises.

The initiative introduced value chains such as avocado farming, poultry production, and export vegetables to increase resilience and create additional income opportunities for smallholder farmers.

“We engaged over 3,000 farmers, built cooperatives, and launched infrastructure to strengthen market access,” Mukoye said.

She, however, cautioned that excessive chemical use remains a significant barrier preventing farmers from accessing lucrative export markets.

“Residue rejections have blocked entry into lucrative markets. Reducing chemical dependence is key if farmers are to benefit fully,” she noted.

Mukoye urged farmers to embrace Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to meet international export standards and improve competitiveness in global markets.

Financial Inclusion and Climate-Smart Agriculture Promoted
Program lead Doreen Kinoti highlighted the role the initiative played in enhancing financial literacy, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability among farming communities.

According to Kinoti, farmers were trained on financial management, credit access, profitability analysis, and record-keeping to strengthen agribusiness operations.

The program also introduced green technologies aimed at reducing production costs while protecting the environment.

📢 Key Farmer Support Interventions Under the GEA Program:

✔️ Financial literacy and credit access training
✔️ Record-keeping and agribusiness management
✔️ Climate-smart farming practices
✔️ Low-cost poultry feed technologies
✔️ Water harvesting and conservation systems
✔️ Environmental sustainability awareness

“We trained farmers on credit access, record-keeping and profitability. We also introduced green technologies like low-cost poultry feed and water harvesting to cut costs and protect the environment,” Kinoti explained.

Farmers Praise Program for Improving Livelihoods
Farmers’ groups attending the close-out event commended the County Government and MESPT for implementing a program they described as life-changing.

Beneficiaries noted that the training, infrastructure support, and agricultural innovations introduced under the initiative had improved household incomes, food security, and farming productivity.

“This project has helped us a lot. We promise to carry on and improve our lives economically while conserving the environment,” a farmers’ representative said.

Many participants expressed optimism that the foundations established through the project would continue supporting sustainable agricultural growth long after the official close of the program.

County Calls for Continued Partnership and Collaboration
As the program concluded, county leaders appealed for continued collaboration with development partners to sustain and expand the gains already achieved.

Kenneth Kagai urged MESPT and other stakeholders to consider future opportunities for partnership and investment within Trans Nzoia County.

“Let this not be a permanent cutoff. We ask you, our great partner, to review our performance and consider us for future opportunities,” he said.

County officials reiterated that strategic partnerships remain critical in supporting agricultural modernization, environmental conservation, youth employment, and food security across the region.

Building a Sustainable Agricultural Future for Trans Nzoia
The Green Employment in Agriculture Program has left a significant mark on Trans Nzoia’s agricultural sector by strengthening farmer capacity, promoting sustainable practices, and improving market access for smallholder farmers.

✔️ Over Sh2.5 billion invested across 12 counties
✔️ More than 3,000 farmers engaged
✔️ Agricultural infrastructure developed in Trans Nzoia
✔️ Climate-smart technologies introduced
✔️ Improved farmer incomes and food security achieved
✔️ Strong partnerships established for future agricultural growth

The County Government of Trans Nzoia has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and ensuring farmers continue benefiting from innovative programs that drive economic growth and environmental conservation.