The County department in partnership with PAFID (Participatory Agriculture for Integrated Development) are organising field days and showcasing farming technology in six wards across the County as they introduced ripper planting amongst the farmers.
The team which held its first field day training in Chebokokwo, Kamariny ward conducted demonstrations in a farm belonging to one of the farmers.
PAFID field officer in-charge of Elgeyo Marakwet County, Mr Eric Kyongo, promoted the ripper technology planting noting that it is a low tillage system that helps conserve soil moisture, reduce soil erosion and improve the soil structure.
“Ripper planting is one of the ways climate smart agriculture is promoting to ensure there is minimum soil disturbance and all farm inputs are placed in the same line and ensure residue retention to cover the crops.” Said Kyongo.
The event saw other partners from the agrochemicals manufacturers, seed companies, agro distributors and irrigation equipment dealers come together to teach farmers the choice of the right inputs and quantities needed per given unit area to ensure they maximise the yields they harvest.
In its first phase, in collaboration with the County, PAFID together with the Cereals Growers Association (CGA) has put in place a plan to provide trainings and technology use through farmer service centres in six wards cutting across the County, namely: Kapchemutwa, Kamariny, Kaptarakwa, Chepkorion, Lelan and Kapyego wards.
PAFID is currently working with twelve Counties in Kenya: Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Narok, Kakamega, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori and Elgeyo Marakwet to help farmers get trained on conservation farming and focus on promotion of climate smart agriculture to improve livelihoods of farmers, increase food security and reduce the conventional farming methods have on the environment.
Present during the event were the Chief Officer Agriculture Timothy Koech Kiptum, County Agricultural extension officers, Field officers from PAFID and CGA.
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