Nakuru Bets on Climate-Smart Farming as Thousands of Farmers Receive Avocado, Mango Seedlings

The Nakuru County Government has intensified efforts to tackle food insecurity and climate change through climate-smart agriculture initiatives aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and boosting household incomes.

In a major push towards sustainable farming, the county government has partnered with state agencies, private firms and research institutions to increase the adoption of modern agricultural technologies and climate-resilient farming methods.

Speaking at Subukia Trading Centre during the distribution of 10,000 avocado seedlings and 9,990 mango seedlings to farmers, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Leonard Bor said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen food security and improve livelihoods.

Bor noted that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration is prioritizing crop diversification and the promotion of high-value fruit farming to cushion farmers against the effects of climate change and fluctuating market conditions.

“We are keen on empowering farmers through climate-smart agriculture and diversification to improve nutrition and create sustainable sources of income,” Bor said.

He explained that the county is encouraging farmers to embrace modern farming technologies such as minimum tillage, irrigation and the use of certified seeds and pest control products to improve productivity and reduce production costs.

According to Bor, climate change continues to pose a major threat to agriculture in Kenya due to irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts and flooding, which have negatively affected food production and farmer incomes.

“The situation on climate change is worsening daily as natural hazards from extreme weather events such as drought and flooding continue to increase,” he said.

More than 1,500 farmers from Magomano, Momoi, Munanda, Morro, Edgewood and Subukia Valley benefited from the fruit seedling distribution exercise.

Bor further revealed that the county government plans to expand land under irrigation from the current 1,000 hectares to 2,500 hectares in a bid to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

“Only a small percentage of agricultural land in Kenya can reliably depend on rainfall. Irrigation is critical if we want to increase food production and reduce food shortages,” he explained.

He added that the county is using farmers’ field days and community forums to educate farmers on climate-smart agriculture practices and new technologies.

Subukia Ward MCA Isabella Makori praised the initiative, saying it will not only strengthen food production but also improve economic opportunities for local farmers through high-value fruit farming.

Makori warned that climate change is increasingly affecting crop performance and threatening food security, especially among vulnerable communities.

“The growing urban population is increasing demand for food, and this can only be addressed if farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices that protect them against drought, floods, pests and diseases,” she said.

She also urged Kenyans to diversify farming by venturing into crops such as coffee, passion fruits, pyrethrum, macadamia, avocado, potatoes and vegetables, while promoting urban farming through kitchen gardens.

The county government says the investment in irrigation, climate-smart technologies and sustainable agriculture is expected to create jobs, reduce poverty and strengthen economic resilience across Nakuru County.