Lodwar, 3rd Oct 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Turkana County Government, in partnership with Alliance Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is set to roll out a survey on the prevalence of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices in the County.

A team of research assistants concluded a two-day training to equip them with the necessary skills for the data collection exercise. The initiative aims to enhance climate resilience and food security by empowering vulnerable communities in Turkana.

Director of Agriculture, Aaron Nanok, elaborated that the data collected will provide real-time insights into farming practices and food security, which will guide future interventions in the region.

“This data collection exercise, targeting 400 farmers across Turkana, will help us better understand the status of climate-smart agriculture practices and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers,” said Nanok.

Despite efforts by the county to promote CSA practices, Nanok noted that the absence of evidence-based data has hindered further development of the agricultural sector.

George Emase, the County Director for Climate Change, emphasized that adopting climate-smart interventions is the most effective way to combat the negative impacts of climate change. “The County has invested in climate-resilient agriculture, and this data will serve as a roadmap for future projects,” he explained.

Tessie Akoko, a research consultant with Climate Action, added that the training will enable the research team to conduct an in-depth study covering farmland access, agricultural production, pest management, CSA practices, and financial resources for farmers.

The training incorporated both lectures and practical sessions, where trainees were instructed on how to accurately engage with farmers and collect reliable data.

Also present at the training were Felix Otieno, Senior Research Associate for Climate Action, and the local research assistants.