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By Omondi Rodgers
Busia—Agricultural stakeholders have urged farmers in Busia County to embrace modern farming technologies, regenerative agriculture, and certified farm inputs to increase crop yields, reduce production costs, and enhance food security.
Speaking during the Busia Farmers Field Day at Nasira in Matayos Sub-county, Yara East Africa agronomist Robinson Wandera said adopting these technologies would help maximize production.
“We are urging our farmers to consider regenerative agriculture and the proper use of fertilizer. This system ensures the soil is not excessively disturbed while maintaining its fertility. We also encourage combining different technologies and using improved seed varieties adapted to local environments to increase productivity,” Wandera said.
He observed that many farmers continue to record low yields because they apply fertilizers without understanding their soil type or the recommended application rates.
“Many farmers have been using fertilizers without understanding the soil type, proper timing, suitable fertilizer, or the right quantity. As a result, they experience low yields. There is a need to focus on soil health so that soils remain productive for a long period,” he added.
Cereal Growers Association representative Eliya Barasa emphasized that adopting modern technologies and conservation agriculture could significantly lower production costs while increasing farm output.
“Farmers need continuous sensitization on proper farming methods that increase production while reducing the cost and time required for farming activities. Conservation agriculture improves soil fertility and ultimately leads to better yields,” Barasa said.
Barasa further noted that post-harvest losses remain a major challenge for farmers in Busia County, denying them maximum returns on their investments. He added that the association has established farmer service centers and rolled out post-harvest management training programs across all sub-counties.
“We have launched post-harvest management programs to train farmers on how to reduce losses before, during, and after harvesting. Farmers should embrace modern farming and post-harvest handling practices to protect their produce and improve profitability,” he said.
He also identified a shortage of tractor rippers in the county as a major obstacle to the adoption of conservation agriculture, noting that demand for the equipment exceeds supply during land preparation seasons.
“This type of farming requires tractor rippers, which are currently few in the county. During land preparation, demand is very high, forcing some farmers to seek less effective alternatives. We urge the county government to increase the number of rippers to support farmers,” he said.
Busia County Agro-Dealers Association Secretary Andrew Netia raised concerns over the influx of illegal agro-products from neighboring Uganda, warning that counterfeit and unapproved farm inputs are causing losses to both farmers and legitimate agro-dealers.
“We have many illegal products entering the country from Uganda and being sold to farmers at lower prices without approval from the relevant authorities. This is causing losses to dealers and exposing farmers to harmful products that affect production,” Netia said.
Netia called for stronger collaboration among regulatory agencies, security officers, agro-dealers, and farmers to eliminate the sale of unauthorized products in the Kenyan market through increased awareness and enforcement.
“We need more sensitization for all stakeholders so they can identify and report dealers selling unauthorized agro-products. Regulatory bodies should also strengthen enforcement measures because these products are causing significant losses to our farmers,” he added.
He further advised farmers to purchase farm inputs only from certified agro-dealer outlets licensed by the relevant authorities and staffed by qualified agronomists.
“As an association, we encourage farmers to source their products from certified outlets with necessary approvals from regulatory bodies such as KEPHIS and the Pest Control Products Board and where qualified agronomists are available. This will help them avoid counterfeit products that compromise agricultural production,” he said.
