Lokichar- October 31, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government has commenced the process of localising the National Value Chain Development Strategy (NVCDS) to unlock the potential of its most competitive agricultural value chains, and tackle food and nutrition insecurity over the next five years.
The move follows the conclusion of a five-day engagement in Lokichar, where sector experts were trained on how to adapt the national framework in Turkana.
The national strategy, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, requires counties to identify areas of great potential and design localized strategies to exploit them.
Through the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP)— a World Bank and national government-supported programme — Turkana has identified sorghum, cowpeas, red meat, leather, capture fisheries, apiculture and aquaculture as value chains with the highest growth potential.
The Chief Officer for Agriculture, Irrigation and Land Reclamation, David Maraka, said the localisation process seeks to build on national and global efforts to reverse Turkana’s long history of food insecurity.
“This directorate through the Food Systems Resilience Project will take the lead and ensure all relevant stakeholders make their submissions. We expect to have a preliminary draft in the next two weeks,” Maraka said.
He added that the final product will guide the strengthening of farmers’ organisations, mobilise funding, streamline technical support, identify potential markets, promote value addition, and integrate climate resilience — in line with the objectives of the national strategy.
Chris Erukudi, the County Food and Nutrition Security Advisor, said that the department is expected to submit inputs should consult widely with their respective partners to ensure the draft reflects an inclusive and evidence-based approach.
“We must develop marketable, data-driven strategies that attract investment and create sustainable livelihoods for our people,” he said.
The FSRP County Coordinator, Victor Lochee, urged that the process should draw lessons from local farmers and retired civil servants who previously implemented similar agricultural projects, noting that their experience will be key to shaping realistic interventions.
In attendance were Richard Lokoyan (Director Irrigation and Land Reclamation), Josephine Emase (Deputy Director Livestock Production), Esau Emmanuel (Deputy Director Agriculture), John Bett (Acting Deputy Director Fisheries), Namoya David (State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries), Tioko Chegem (Principal Administrator Agriculture and Land Reclamation), Paul Lokone (Former Director, Agriculture) and Peter Nazegira (Former County Extension Officer).
