Lodwar, February 20, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
A total of 210 agripreneurs have successfully completed a digital training program aimed at empowering them to offer last mile extension and market access services to farmers across Turkana.
The final group of participants were drawn from Kibish, Turkana North, Turkana West, and Lokichoggio sub-counties.
The initiative, which primarily targets youth, seeks to revolutionize the delivery of agricultural extension services by utilizing digital technologies.
During the closing ceremony, the County Chief Officer David Maraka underscored the significance of the program in enhancing on-demand extension services, facilitating access to quality agricultural inputs, and connecting farmers with profitable markets. He emphasized that these efforts are crucial for the commercialization of agriculture in the region.
“This is a transformative approach that focuses on developing young people into entrepreneurs by adopting climate-smart and productivity-enhancing technologies,” Maraka stated.
Victor Lochee, the County Project Coordinator for FSRP, urged the agripreneurs to demonstrate commitment and professionalism as they provide services to farmers.
He also highlighted the agripreneur model’s potential to address food security and economically empower the youth.
“This approach not only supports farmers but also creates economic opportunities for the youth,” Lochee remarked.
Participants were trained on various digital tools, including the Agripreneur Management System (APMS), Agripreneur Digital Platform (ADP), and the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS) Know Your Farmer (KYF) tools which are essential for effective data collection and performance monitoring in agricultural practices.
At the end of the training, the agripreneurs took an oath of office and secrecy, as outlined in Schedule 3 of the Statistics Act of 2006 in the presence of Commissioner of Oaths, Ekal Lokuruka to ensure the confidentiality and accuracy of the data collected.
The training program was supported by the National Panel of Experts and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), represented by Jane Kioko.
The attendees were Peter Lolem(Advisor to the Governor -Resource mobilization),Linus Ekidor( Deputy director for Youth and gender affairs), Lennon Bernard (Assistant Director Administrative services). George Ochieng (DCC T.North), Tom Otieno(DCC Kibish), John Oroche (DCC T. West ), Zachara Etukon (DSCA T.West), Echip Obed (SCA Lokichoggio), Brenda kokoi ( SCA T. North), Ekai Nabenyo (Ag. County Solicitor) Eli Karani, Dr. Eliya Lolem, Atana James, George Ekutan(CPOEs) and FSRP team.
